Susta residents work through the night to hold back the Narayani river
The clock showed 1:25 am. Along the banks of the Narayani river in Susta Rural Municipality-5 of West Nawalparasi, however, young men were still hauling sacks filled with soil. Those unable to carry the heavy sacks were busy arranging wire mesh.
The scene on Sunday night drew attention as residents of Susta worked through the night, racing to reinforce the riverbank for fear that floodwaters from the Narayani could spill into their settlement.
Sitting along the riverbank, residents, including Kamal Bhagat, were teaching other young men how to reinforce the embankment, drawing on techniques they had learned from previous efforts to protect the settlement.
This is not the first time Susta residents have worked day and night to build makeshift embankments to protect their homes. But this year, the river has been eroding the bank more aggressively than in previous years. At the same time, residents say the Indian side has prevented them from building an embankment on their own territory.The worsening situation has drawn renewed attention to the struggle of people in Susta to hold on to their land. Residents say they have long lived under pressure from India’s border security force, the Sashastra Seema Bal, which they accuse of harassing them from time to time. Now the Narayani river is posing another threat.
The river is steadily eroding the settlement, raising fears that intensified erosion could eventually force residents from their homes.
For 11 days, people in Susta have been working along the river to build an embankment and protect their land.
“We are prepared to fight any kind of struggle to protect our land,” said resident Osiya Khan. “We have received a lot of support now. We would be grateful if the government could negotiate with India and create an environment in which we can build an embankment up to the Nepal-India border.”
