By Umesh Basnet and Bhawana Bhusal, Youth Alliance for Environment (YAE), Kathmandu, Nepal

Tal village, a tranquil settlement along the Marsyangdi River in Manang, holds a history of resilience and transformation. Once a vast grazing land known as a “goth” or “kharka,” Tal attracted Tibetan settlers about a century ago, beginning with just four households. Today, it has grown to 61 households, mostly Gurung, followed by Tibetan, Dalit, and Tamang families. Traditionally dependent on agriculture and livestock, the villagers gradually embraced tourism as trekkers began flocking to the area for its scenic beauty. Over time, tourism became the main livelihood for more than half the households. However, Tal’s proximity to the Marsyangdi River came with unseen peril. In 2009, the river swelled, damaging homes and infrastructure. The most devastating disaster struck in 2021 when relentless rainfall caused the river to flood catastrophically. The torrent destroyed 22 houses completely, severely damaged 28 more, and caused losses estimated at around 500 million Nepali rupees. The village school was washed away, forcing children to continue their education in distant districts like Lamjung and Chitwan.

Beyond physical destruction, the flood eroded the village’s cultural and emotional fabric. Over 300 ropani of ancestral land vanished under the river, displacing families and disrupting age-old traditions. Tourism, the village’s economic backbone, collapsed temporarily, further deepening hardship. Yet, amid the ruins, the spirit of Tal’s people endures. Some homes have been rebuilt, and a few families have reopened lodges to welcome travellers once again. While Tal may never fully return to its former state, its people’s determination to restore their lives and community stands as a testament to their unyielding resilience. The heart of Tal continues to beat strongly, awaiting the day it regains its lost beauty and strength.

Immediate response efforts were halted by road and communication disruptions, but later the Government of Nepal, local authorities, including the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) Manang, Nepal Army, and Nepal Police, initiated rescue and evacuation operations, ensuring the safety of affected households. Relatives of the affected families from neighbouring villages provided emergency relief, supplying food, tents, clothing, and basic medical aid. Temporary shelters were set up on higher, flat areas of the village, while children and elderly residents were airlifted by helicopter to stay safely with their relatives.

The disaster exposed major vulnerabilities in Tal’s disaster preparedness and settlement planning. The community’s proximity to the Marsyangdi River, lack of early warning systems, poor drainage, and absence of flood-resistant infrastructure made the settlement extremely vulnerable. Additionally, weak coordination among government bodies, limited local awareness of potential hazards, and a lack of land-use planning exacerbated the scale of loss and destruction.

Since the flood, efforts have been made to address these vulnerabilities. The local government and CSOs have focused on hazard mapping, awareness programs, and community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) training. Retaining walls and embankments have been built along the riverbank, and most families have rebuilt their homes with support and financial assistance from relatives and loans from various banks. Early warning mechanisms and community coordination committees have been established to improve response readiness.

The community has demonstrated remarkable initiative by rebuilding homes using stronger materials, planting vegetation to prevent soil erosion and mitigate flooding, and diversifying their livelihoods to reduce reliance on tourism alone.

Tal’s experience offers valuable lessons globally: disaster preparedness must integrate local knowledge, scientific risk assessments, climate adaptation planning, including a robust early warning system. Key recommendations include investing in resilient infrastructure, constructing strong riverbank embankments, planting vegetation to stabilise the banks, and empowering local communities in decision-making. Tal’s story serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and a reminder of the importance of proactive adaptation to a changing climate.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.