Jajarkot | 24 December 2026

“The canal that once lay broken by disaster is flowing again-bringing water, light, and hope back into our lives.”

In the hilly landscape of Ranikhet, Nalgad Municipality - 5 in Jajarkot, farming is a major source of income. For 171 households, the Gare Khola-Ranikhet Irrigation canal is more than a channel for water. It supports terraced fields, runs traditional water mill, and feeds an 11 kW mini hydropower system in the area out of reach of the national grid. When water stops flowing, daily life becomes difficult, leading to lessened crop yields, and declined food production - affecting the family income.

In November 2023, a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Karnali Province, hitting Jajarkot and West Rukum the hardest. More than 150 lives were lost, and homes and community infrastructure were badly damaged. Communities in this remote region were already facing challenges of food insecurity, floods, landslides, and drought, and the earthquake made these struggles even heavier.

Although the irrigation canal was not fully damaged during the earthquake, heavy flash floods in 2024 damaged two major sections. Retaining walls collapsed, and water supply to about 200 ropani (10 hectarre) of farmland was cut off. One water mill stopped working, and the mini-hydropower system shut down, leaving many families without electricity.

“We tried to repair the canal using plastic sheets, old GI sheets, and wooden supports”, shared Bhim Bahadur Oli, a local farmer. “But these temporary solutions kept failing. Without the canal, there is no way to bring water to our fields. We cannot depend on rain alone.”

Under the project “Livelihoods Improvement and Disaster Resilience Enhancement in the Areas Affected by the Jajarkot Earthquake”, implemented with financial support from the Government of Japan, led by UNDP in collaboration with UN-Habitat andn local partner Chay-Ya Nepal, a series of field visits and community consutlations were carried out to assess the damage and needs. During these consultations, Mayor Dambar Bahadur Rawat, Deputy Mayor Debaka Lamichhane, and Ward Chairperson Om Raj Oli highlighted Ranikhet as among the most affected areas. They prioritized rehabilitation of the canal, as the community depends heavily on this shared infrastructure and that restoring it would quickly revive livelihoods and improve water security.

The community demonstrated strong ownership throughout the process. Local people contributed labor, with the construction work creating short-term employment for residents skilled in masonry and gabion work. Women’s groups, including Salghari Women Agriculture Group, has plans to expand farming activities once water would return to their field, by planting the seeds for small-scale businesses and stronger household incomes. The damaged sections were rebuilt using RCC lining and strengthened with gabion retaining walls to ensure long-term safety and durability against future floods.

Around 160 households are directly benefiting from the restored canal, within the wider group of 171 households in and around Ranikhet. This includes 25 Dalit households, 5 Janajati (Indigenous) families, 8 women-headed households, and persons with disabilities. For these families, the canal is essential-not only for irrigation, but for food security, income, and daily life.

Today, water once again flows from Gare Khola to the terraced fields of Ranikhet. The land is turning green, and farmers are growing rice, wheat, maize, mustard, and seasonal vegetables. Canal water is also used for household needs, saving time and reducing the workload for women. Two traditional water mills are running again, supporting local grain processing and preserving cultural practices. Most importantly, the steady water flow has allowed the 11 kW micro-hydropower system to restart, bringing reliable electricity and supporting small economic activities.

“We are selling vegetables in the local market again, and there is warmth in our homes,” says Ms. Dilsara Sunar.

“This canal has not only brought water back-it has brought our future back,” adds Ms. Srishti B.K. from the Ranikhet Canal Rehabilitation Committee. “The earthquake broke our lives, but now we are standing strong again.”

Mr. Lalbir Chanara, a local resident who operates the traditional water mill, shared his happiness after the canal was restored- “This is not just a canal. The crops we grow in our fields are processed in the water mill that runs with this same water, without any issue, so it supports our whole life cycle.”

The Gare Khola–Ranikhet Irrigation Canal shows how community-led action, strong local government partnership, and focused investment can bring powerful results-restoring livelihoods, reviving energy access, and strengthening resilience in a remote, disaster-affected municipality.