India’s dam project on border river risks flooding Nepali villages

India has started building a dam on the Marha River along the Nepal-India border, which could flood Nepali settlements in Mahottari’s Sonama rural municipality-3, Raghunathpur.

According to locals, the Indian side is constructing a 10-foot-high dam in Bhagwatipur, Sitamarhi district of India, to divert river water for irrigation. They are also building a 2 km canal in the Dasgaja area to take the water towards Kanhama. Despite opposition from the Nepali side, Indian villagers led by local leader Girendra Kumar Singh have been using dozers, tractors, and tools to continue the work.

On Monday, Indian officials and security personnel, led by CO Moni Kumari, surveyed the riverbank and started digging for the canal, even within the Dasgaja area. Armed Police Force deployed at the border confirmed the activities.

Mahottari Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Rijal said Nepal has stopped the work, reminding that no construction is allowed in the international border area. He warned the Indian side that the dam could flood Nepali land and settlements.

Rijal said India has agreed not to continue the construction after Nepal’s objection. In the past, similar dams had caused floods that damaged areas around Raghunathpur and even affected an Armed Police border post.