Narayani recedes but residents struggle to clear silt from homes and school

Even though the Narayani River flood has subsided in Chitwan, riverside residents of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-1 Lilachowk are struggling to remove the silt and sand that piled up in their homes.

The flood was caused by four consecutive days of rainfall. The river's water level dropped by about 4.5 metres on Monday.

Some household items, including utensils, clothes, slippers, racks, beds and cupboards, were swept away by the flood, while others were left covered in mud. Some houses were washed away entirely.

Having spent the night at neighbours' or relatives' homes, flood victims have been busy cleaning up since early Monday morning while also looking after their children. Victims complained that no one from the local government or state agencies had come to check on them even after the flood receded.

A national basic school located right by the riverbank has been left in disarray by the flood and mud, with tables and chairs in classrooms covered in silt. According to local youth Anjit Sapkota, the school is located in an extremely high-risk area and floods have entered it almost every 1-2 years. Local youths have launched a cleanup campaign at the school.