Nepal doubts Indian claim on cause of flood

Questions are being raised in Nepal, on India’s claim that last week’s devastating floods in Mahakali River were not caused by release of excess water from Dhauliganga Dam

Updated on: Jun 24, 2013, 01:18:18 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Questions are being raised in Nepal, on India’s claim that last week’s devastating floods in Mahakali River were not caused by release of excess water from Dhauliganga Dam in Uttarakhand.

Heavy downpour had resulted in heavy flooding in the river that falls on the border between both countries and caused severe damage in Darchula in far-western Nepal bordering India. Media reports quoting residents of the affected areas had blamed release of excess water from reservoir of the 280 MW project as the cause for sudden rise in the river’s water level.

On Friday, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu issued a statement saying since excess water from the dam passed through spillways, “the question of India releasing the dam water simply does not arise”.

But not many in Nepal seem to agree to this contention.

In an opinion/blog that appeared in www.setopati.com on Sunday, Nepal’s chief secretary Lilamani Poudel hinted that release of excess water from Dhauliganga could be responsible.

“Locals, politicians, civil society leaders and businessmen from the area don’t believe this disaster to be a natural one,” the news portal quoted him as saying.

Paudel was part of a team (that included chairman of the interim government Khil Raj Regmi) which undertook a survey of affected areas on Thursday. “Since the matter was related to a project in a friendly country, the chairman didn’t make any comment (on the accusations),” Paudel stated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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