Recent flooding along the Rapti River in Sauraha has caused significant damage to several hotels and restaurants, including the well-known Sunset Hotel, where the riverbank eroded by more than five feet. As of today, efforts to fill and level the flood-created hole are in progress, according to Dipendra Khatriwada, the hotel’s manager. “The area is almost restored to its original state, and we expect to reopen the restaurant by tomorrow,” Khatriwada said.
Although flooding is an annual occurrence along the river, this year’s impact has been more severe. Dhruva Giri, President of the Regional Restaurant and Bar Association (REWAN), stated that 15 other restaurants in the area were also affected. “Most of the damaged restaurants have been cleaned and repaired, and we’re now awaiting the return of tourists,” Giri added.
The final phase of repair work, which includes clearing sand and mud from the affected areas, is almost complete. Ganga Giri, President of the Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha, mentioned that although some hotels along the Rapti River were flooded, the damage was mostly minor. Hotels such as Holy Lodge, Sapana Village, and Hotel Riverside experienced flooding, but cleanup and repairs have already been completed.
“Despite the flooding, no hotels in Sauraha have been closed,” Ganga Giri confirmed. However, last week’s heavy rainfall, which damaged highways, had a direct impact on the tourism industry in the region. Currently, only about 500 tourists are in Sauraha, compared to over 4,000 during the same period last year. Of those, 50% were from third countries, 30% were Nepali, and 20% were Chinese, according to Giri.
Giri suggested that offering free visas for long-stay tourists and extending the duration of Chitwan National Park entry tickets to seven days could help boost tourist numbers. Currently, visitors must purchase a new park ticket daily. Extending the ticket duration could encourage tourists to explore not only Sauraha but also areas like western Chitwan, Madi, and the Chepang Hills.
Suman Ghimire, former President of the Association, remarked that despite no floods earlier in the year, there was still a lack of enthusiasm, and the recent floods have worsened the situation. “Interest in Nepal as a tourist destination seems to have declined globally,” Ghimire said, noting that the decrease in international tourists, combined with roadblocks caused by the floods, has made it difficult for domestic tourists to visit the area.
Gunaraj Thapaliya, General Secretary of the Association, emphasized that the early part of the peak tourist season has seen a drastic decline in visitor numbers, impacting the entire tourism sector. Sauraha is home to 45 private elephants, as well as a large fleet of jeeps and boats, all of which have been affected. The area boasts 138 hotels and around 100 restaurants, with an investment of billions of rupees. “Sauraha can accommodate over 6,600 visitors in a single night, but the lack of tourists has become a serious issue,” Thapaliya concluded.
Source: RSS
