The recent incessant rains brought flooding and landslides across the country, including the capital, Kathmandu, reminding us of the Supreme Court's ruling on river banks a year ago.

The decision of the Supreme Court that the banks of rivers like Bagmati and Bishnumati should be left 40 meters instead of 20 is sure to save and benefit millions of capital residents in the future. If the decision is implemented properly, it will save from drowning. The current situation has come about after the river was narrowed by haphazard construction on the river bank. Last year also in the month of October, there was such a frenzy in places like Nakhkhu. 

Actually, the river has not flowed into the slum, rather the settlement has flowed into the river. When the river does not find its natural course, it is forced to walk unnaturally. What those who built houses by washing the river banks, those who encroached the river and set up squatter settlements and the policy makers could not understand. The result of which is the current flood and inundation. 

Will everyone come to their senses now? Now everyone will welcome the decision made by the Supreme Court? Will the government agree that not 20 meters, but 40 meters should be left for the river banks? Because, it is the outgoing KP Sharma Oli government, which went to the court with a vacate petition for the cancellation of the said order through the Attorney General's Office saying that the Supreme Court decision was not correct.