My father was the one who inspired me. He ensured that I attended school – sometimes through encouraging words or sometimes with physical force. It was important for him that my brothers, myself, and my sister became educated citizens. It was because of him that I was able to complete my SLC (School Leaving Certificate). If not for him, I would have been an illiterate.
Formal schooling, even though it was only till SLC, helped me to navigate through life. It taught me the skills that I needed to venture into small businesses – from selling toys to running a shop and then a hotel. But when COVID hit, I had to close my hotel and focus only on my shop.
I have always been involved in community work – mostly meteorology for almost a decade through various organisations. I have gauged rainfall in the past and currently I am working as a caretaker of the Community-Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) developed and installed here by ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development).
The Gagan River originates in the hills of the Chure range and eventually flows into India. During the monsoon and when the river behaves erratically, it inundates half a dozen villages, including ours. Kamalabari, Behli, Berma, Babubarhi, and other villages of Madhubani District in India are thus heavily affected. In Nepal, Tulsipur, Aurahi, Kundalpur, Deuripatti, Ittatar, Harkatti, Kamalpur, Darahiya, and Bariyarpatti of Siraha District are the most affected.
Once the water level reaches the danger mark, the alarm is triggered. Then, without any delay, I start making calls and sending messages. And to ensure that all the mobile networks are available during such emergencies, I use both NCELL and NTC (Nepal Telecom) SIMs. Since my alerts save lives, I cannot compromise on taking quick actions.
We ensure that the people who live and work on the riverbanks are informed first. We also ensure that the children who take cattle to graze are not left behind. All of this is done in coordination with the police and the local authorities.
Two or three years ago, there was a massive flood in the area. People still live with the trauma that it caused. Now if there is a heavy downpour, I still get calls from Ittatar and Kamalpur asking me if the flood would be as devastating as the one of that time.
Our neighbours in India praise this early warning system which works for both the countries. They understand that rivers are free of borders unlike humans. Everyone has faith in this system. They have seen it save lives.
