Before the flash flood occurred, both the domestic and foreign tourists thronged Kharapani of Sardikhola VDC along the Seti River in the district. The place has now turned into a desolate wasteland.[break]
According to the District Administration Office, Kaski, as many as 58 people had lost their lives in the savage flash flood. Of them, bodies of 27 victims were recovered. The rest disappeared.
But even a year after the flood, the families of the victims are yet to come to terms with the loss. “We lost our son but we couldn´t recover his body,” said Komal Prasad Jaishi of Sadal village in Machhapuchhre VDC. She lost her only son Shree Ram Joshi in the flood.
Santosh Gurung is in immense grief after he lost his wife to the flood. “Following his wife´s death, Santosh walked out on his family,” grieved Lok Bahadur Gurung, father of Santosh.
After the catastrophe, locals are living in the fear that the flood may occur again. “The locals are living in fear so much that they even hesitate to walk along the affected area,” admitted Bhim Bahadur Gurung, president of Tatopani Conservation Committee at Kharapani. He said hundreds of tourists visited Tatopani in Kharapani everyday before the flood. But the place now wears a deserted look.
After the incident, the government had provided Rs 1, 25, 000 each to the families of the identified victims in compensation. However, the family members of the victims who disappeared in the flood have not received any compensation so far.
Chief District Officer of Kaski Yadav Prasad Koirala said the there is no provision of providing compensation to the families of the victims who disappeared in the flood unless they are proven dead. “But we are holding talks with the government in this regard. Hopefully, the families of those who disappeared in the flood will also be provided compensation,” added Koirala.
A group of Nepali and American experts have said that the flash flood in Seti River was caused by an avalanche and such floods was possible in the future as well.
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