Monsoon in Kathmandu: A Menace

Just a couple of weeks back, the inhabitants of Kathmandu were sweltering under the scorching heat. Everyone had been desperately waiting for the advent of the cool monsoon. But now that it's finally here, the situation is rather getting worse. Roads that are forever under construction combined with the debris of the recent quake have contributed to making the life in Capital a constant struggle.

The headache does not end with the plentitude of puddles everywhere, but it only initiates a whole lot of inconveniences. With the grace of our slacking government and its road construction projects, we have had to jump and crawl around the walls arduously just to reach our everyday destination. The debris of the recent earthquake adds to our sorrow for they often include tin, bricks and other injurious objects. Furthermore, those impolite individuals who lack the courtesy of not-spitting in the same puddle we may end up stepping in are not helping at all! This actually could cause ailments to people, and this cannot be ignored. And how can we forget those sophisticated vehicle owners, dry under their own vehicle, but rude enough to splash dirty rain water in our lovely outfits?The chaos has been a mental torture for many, including me. Sometime ago, I was returning home from my college with the excitement of having received good grades. My excitement was soon ruined after seeing people struggle with dirty pool of water to cross a small section of the street, and I had to go through the same. What if someone was in an emergency, like for instance had to go to a job interview or attend an important seminar?

The point here is that how we feel inside, we tend to display it outside. Now, if our external environment is so chaotic, then we cannot be peaceful within. I believe inner peace is extremely important for a balanced life. We may not be able to change our thought in facts but facts can definitely change our thoughts.

All these chaos are affecting us somehow. The problem is only getting worse day by day. Government and related municipalities should seriously show some concern towards it. Little things do make a difference. It should be remembered that not everyone has the privilege to own a private or luxurious transport. Most of the people are suffering dreadfully just to transact their daily activities. People already have enough problems in their lives and adding on to that, life in Kathmandu itself has become a struggle.

Shrijana is an undergraduate student of BSc Forestry at Kathmandu Forestry College in Koteshwar, Kathmandu.

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