‘Tuin’ terror

How many more people must die while crossing rivers before the state takes the issue seriously?

In many remote settlements of Nepal’s Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, people still cling to makeshift cable crossings called ‘tuins’ strung high between riverbanks to get to the other side. These tuins are used to access basic services, reach regional headquarters, offices, and schools, or buy daily essentials. Many understand such a risky crossing could cost them their lives, but they are left with no other options. Recently, a 28-year-old man from Dumling in Byas Rural Municipality-2 of Darchula district fell into the Mahakali River and went missing after a support pole broke. Unfortunately, over the past three decades, 23 people from the same rural municipality have fallen into the river and died. Twenty of these deaths were in the Dumling area alone. Yet, the lot of locals has hardly improved, as this side of the Indo-Nepal border is still without a walking trail, let alone a road. As a result, they are compelled to cross into the Indian territory through perilous tuins even to reach the district headquarters, Khalanga.