Betrawati (Nuwakot), September 6
Twelve days have passed since the Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa, but those missing from Betrawati have yet to be found. Shashi Dangol, chairperson of the Betrawati Lakhe Committee, has been collecting data on the number of people missing from different settlements in the area.
According to Dangol, 193 people are missing from six settlements in Betrawati. “It has been 12 days today. We are going through a terrifying period, still hoping that our missing relatives will return,” he said. As hopes of finding them alive have faded, many families have performed last rites using symbolic bodies made from sacred kusha grass. “Families are also performing mourning rituals in memory of their loved ones,” he said.
Dangol has prepared a report on the extent of damage in Betrawati, which he provided to Onlinekhabar. “The settlements around Betrawati Bazaar, from Agitar to Satbise, Kaidletar and Naubise, have suffered massive loss of lives and property. The land, houses and other structures have been destroyed beyond use,” he said.
Betrawati lies on the border of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Dangol said the data was collected through field visits to Betrawati, which falls under Uttargaya Rural Municipality-5 and Bidur Municipality-10.
Number of missing by settlement
- Agitar
Households: 19
Population: 80
Missing: 15 - Betrawati, Nuwakot
Households: 129
Population: 528
Missing: 119 - Betrawati, Rasuwa
Households: 50
Population: 199
Missing: 11 - Satriphant
Households: 15
Population: 59
Missing: 1 - Kaidletar
Households: 76
Population: 349
Missing: 39 - Naubise
Households: 10
Population: 41
Missing: 8
Although the Newa community makes up a large proportion of Betrawati’s population, the settlement had a mixed population. According to Dangol, the six settlements had a total of 299 households and a population of 1,256, of whom 193 are missing.
Families from various communities, including Dangol, Shrestha, Lawat, Nagarkoti, Magar, Tamang, Rijal, Dhakal, Acharya, Lamichhane and Adhikari, lived in the settlement. However, none of the houses remains intact. “I knew everyone in the settlements, so I remember each person. I collected the data myself, including who has made contact and who is missing,” he said. “There could be a slight variation in the figures, but not a significant difference.” Four injured people were rescued from Betrawati, one of whom later died while receiving treatment.
Hopes of survivors remain, residents call for searches
On Saturday, the 11th day after the flood struck Betrawati, 64-year-old Chandika Shrestha was rescued. She had been swept away along with her house. Following her rescue, residents have urged authorities to search houses that were swept away or destroyed by the flood.
“We need to search every house. We have asked the municipality to conduct searches,” he said. “There is still hope that someone may be alive. A search would at least give us some certainty.”
Where are those who escaped?
Sworadanda lies above Betrawati, where people who lost their homes are living in tents. Those who lost family members have travelled to Kathmandu to perform mourning rituals because it is not possible to do so in Betrawati.
According to Dangol, some people are also staying around Nilkantha School in Bogatitar on the Rasuwa side. “Some are staying in the Nuwakot Durbar area, while others are taking shelter with relatives in Kathmandu. There are currently around 20–22 households living in tents,” Dangol said. “After completing the mourning rituals, the villagers plan to gather there and stay until another arrangement is made.”
Residents are hoping the government will introduce a package, including policies and regulations, for their resettlement. “We hope the government will introduce the necessary policies and regulations and then make settlement arrangements accordingly,” he said. “For now, the focus should be on temporary housing in safe locations, medical treatment for the injured, care for senior citizens and ensuring children can continue their education.”
According to locals, relief supplies are reaching the area, but poor road conditions have caused difficulties. “Relief is arriving, but it appears to be delayed because of the road conditions,” he said.
Calls to preserve Betrawati and relocate the settlement to a safe area
Betrawati has historical significance and is also a site of religious importance, dating back to the treaty with Tibet. Residents have therefore stressed the need to preserve its heritage.
The area is known for Lakhe dances, Gaijatra and Uttargaya Dham. Betrawati is also considered a sacred site for performing ancestral rites and is an important commercial centre. “Since Betrawati provides the shortest route connecting Rasuwa and Nuwakot, efforts should be made to build a paved road in the area and develop the settlement in a safe location,” Dangol said.
Betrawati residents had completed preparations to organise the Janai Purnima fair, Gaijatra and Krishna Ashtami chariot procession this year and to participate in the seventh National Lakhe Dance Competition scheduled for Asoj 9 and10 in Chitwan. However, all the programmes have been cancelled. Locals have stressed the need to preserve these historical and cultural traditions.
Plan to build a memorial
Residents are planning to build a memorial park in Betrawati in memory of those who went missing in the flood. “Betrawati will never be able to forget our relatives and loved ones, nor will we forget them. We will build a beautiful Betrawati Park and memorial in their memory,” Committee Chairperson Dangol said.
“We will carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction on either side of Betrawati, taking the geographical conditions into account, with the aim of establishing permanent settlements in safe locations.”
