Expressing his concern over the ominous situation, local Mohan Man Shrestha of Dhuskun said that the land surface high above the lake and recently constructed roads have developed dangerous cracks from the middle.

Meanwhile, assistant lecturer at the Tribhuwan University and landslide expert Dr Ranjan Dahal said that the phenomenon could have been caused by the sudden outflow of massive amount of water. “About 4 million cusec water had flown out within six hours from the artificial lake which had been holding 6 million cusec water,” Dahal said. Stating that the development of cracks could mean further landslide, Dahal suggested that it was best to vacate the area where the cracks have developed.

Likewise, expert Prakash Shrestha who had conducted geological survey on two hydro-power projects earlier said that the risk of further landslide were imminent. A retiree from Nepal Electricity Authority, Shrestha said that if the water level had receded slowly, nothing of the sort would have happened, but with the water flowing out rapidly, it had shaken and destabilised the ground surface around it.

Shrestha said that it would be best not to challenge nature and avoid doing anything that creates vibrations on the surface such as using electrical water motors, vehicular movement, and construction works.

However, going against the suggestions of the experts, road construction has been started from both sides of the lake. While cracks have developed in blacktopped road that is within a range of one kilometre along the Araniko Highway, the tracks opened from both sides have only heightened the danger, Dahal said.

According to Dahal, the tracks opened without proper studies had already aggravated the dangers. “Although roads are imperative, it would have been best to conduct geological survey and emphasise constructing a sturdy Highway taking into account the recent mishaps,” Dahal opined.

Meanwhile, senior project officer Deepak KC of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that concerned authorities should take pre-emptive measures and evacuate the locals to a safe location. “In the wake of present danger, it is essential that all stakeholders come up with a strategy to mitigate the danger posed by the situation and avoid human casualties,” KC said.

The landslides on Aug 2 had blocked the only transport route to Khasa, Tibet and formed the humongous lake. Meanwhile, local businessmen as well as Nepal Army have started constructing alternative route to resume transport services to Tatopani, which is one of the most important custom point facilitating trade between Nepal and China.

Local syndicate creating hassles, complain traders

While people are yet to come to terms with the loss of lives and property caused by the August 2 landslide in Sindhupalchok district, for some it has become an opportune moment to earn money out of the situation precipitated by the same disaster.

Some people in the district have been charging commission from the porters ferrying goods from the Chinese border town of Khasa, as the vehicular services along the Araniko Highway in the region are yet to resume.  The so-called brokers have been charging at least Rs 500 for every load that porters haul through the landslide-ravaged area.

Traders have been compelled to seek help from these brokers because they control the porters as well as the vehicles that are transporting the goods to Kathmandu.

Arjun Sapkota, secretary of Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, admitted that in order to transport one load of goods to the Capital, they spend Rs 3,000 more.

One trader said, “The porters are under their (brokers) control and there is also the pressure of delivering the goods to the Capital before the Dashain festival. We have no other alternative but to work with these people.” He said that although the drivers are paid Rs 20,000-25,000 to drivers, they only receive Rs 15,000. “The brokers take the remaining sum.”

 The goods transported from Tatopani are dropped off at Sunkoshi and Kalleri of Ramche village. The goods are then carried by porters until Barahbise along the Araniko Highway. 

Meanwhile, another group of young men in the area are also exploiting the private vehicles traversing through the 13 km alternative track by demanding “tax” for using the route. They have been demanding up to Rs 7,000 per vehicle. And there are others who have been collecting donations for local clubs.

Police Inspector Jayeshwor Rimal said they have launched an operation to curb such forms of extortion in the district after receiving complaints from the traders.