Since the landslide also included a coal mine, the water flowing down with black mud has made the Tinau River, which flows through Madi and Butwal, murky. Such water is not suitable for livestock, agriculture, or drinking.
What you should know
A photo/video of the Tinau River, which originates in Palpa, flowing murky and black, went viral on social media a few days ago. The administration, police, and local government started showing interest.
Police from the Area Police Office Purvakhola reached the site of the dry landslide on Saturday to find out the truth. Uddanda in Purvakhola Rural Municipality-4, Devinagar is the source area of the Tinau River. Senior Police Constable Netra Bahadur Bhat Chhetri of the Area Police Office Purvakhola said that the dry landslide here has a water source, so it has been concluded that black mud has flowed.
According to Rajkumar Panthi, ward chairman of Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-1 Chidipani, murky and black water had been flowing in the Tinau River for the past few days. 'It was thought to be normal for a day or two as there was embankment work going on in the upper area,' he said, 'but when it started flowing continuously, they put it on social media for a search strategy. After that, the police administration also became interested.' Locals have posted on social media after the water turned black and murky in the lower bank of the Tinau River.
During the rainy season, the mud was muddy, but for the past few days, black mud from coal has flowed. ‘The water flowing in the lower coastal area is black and muddy because of the black mud from coal,’ said local Khem Bahadur Baral Magar. ‘The source of the water is small, but the problem has arisen because the slope and coal become muddy after rain.’
Since the landslide also involved a coal mine, the water flowing along with the black mud has made the Tinau River flowing through Madi and Butwal muddy. According to environmental experts, black mud from coal is not suitable for livestock, farming, or drinking. There are coal mines in various places here.
They had already received information that the previous water flowing from the coal mine was not suitable for farming, drinking, or feeding livestock. According to environmentalist Yubaraj Kandel, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water increases. Kandel explained that this then affects the growth and development of aquatic animals and plants. 'Not only coal, but also sulfur such as pyrite is found in the coal,' he said, 'which increases the acidity of the water.' Which water is not considered suitable for irrigation and drinking water. Acidic water dissolves toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and copper present in the rocks and mixes them with the river, making the water unusable. It only reduces the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water.' According to him, the coal accumulates at the bottom of the river and smothers the bottom, which destroys the natural habitat of aquatic animals.
Local residents have already received general information about coal mining. ‘Environmental experts informed us about its negative effects while the coal mine was operating,’ said local Bir Bahadur Gaha, ‘That is why there is little information that the water flowing in this season should not be used for irrigating fields or feeding animals.’ According to locals, what was a small landslide two years ago has now become a huge one. The landslide has already covered about 200 meters of bushes and forests, as well as reeds and bamboo forests. Local Chhabilal Gaha said that a hundred meters of dry landslide has occurred in the last month alone.
Now, local residents are facing problems in bringing rice planted in the lower areas and even going to the fields. He said that even though they could reach their homes in half an hour, they have to travel for one and a half hours. ‘Even before the decade, it was possible to walk on the path,’ he said, ‘now it has flowed up to 30 meters higher than that.’
The discovery of a coal mine at the site of the dry landslide has created additional problems. Water mixed with black coal mud has flowed in the lower area. Since it is the source of the Tinau River, the residents of the lower coastal areas as well as the locals have faced various problems due to the landslide.
At first, there was a path at this location. Nothing happened for two years after the motorway was dug. It had collapsed slightly three years ago. Now, more problems have arisen after landslides gradually occurred during the winter and rainy seasons. Although there is no immediate problem here, in the long term, 12 houses in the upper area are at risk. Locals say that they should be aware because it is steep and has a high chance of collapse. The police have urged 12 households to be alert.
In recent days, the administration, local levels, and local residents have shown interest. Senior Constable Netra Bahadur Bhat Chhetri of the Area Police Office Purvakhola said that they have been urged not to irrigate the fields, not to use water as it is a source of drinking water, and to be aware of the settlements in the upper areas.
Coal mining was used in Purvakhola Rural Municipality-4, Devinagar area until 6 years ago. The locals had it closed after it was extracted in a haphazard and careless manner. A coal mine has also been found in this landslide.
Ward Chairman Mehar Singh Thapa says that residents of the lower coastal areas should be aware as black mud continues to flow from the source of the Tinau River. ‘We are not in a position to do anything from our level,’ he said, ‘There is no other option but to let it flow as much as it can and as much as it can.’ He said that the Land and Watershed Office will conduct a study. He said that he is confused about what to do now after the gabion nets and scaffolding placed in the lower area were washed away.
