Jhapa, June 3 -- Sugabathan, a small settlement in ward 2 of Jhapa Rural Municipality, faces a persistent threat from the nearby Kankai river. Home to over 50 families-mostly from the Hemaram, Tudu and Santhal communities-the village consists of modest bamboo homes located just 50 metres from the river. During monsoon season, floods are a recurring nightmare. Also this Saturday, floodwaters breached the settlement and inundated 20 homes.

Dharmalal Hemaram, 48, recalls how floods have displaced his family multiple times. During the past floods, they took refuge in nearby schools and he worries the village may be completely displaced again this year. "We can't sleep peacefully during the monsoon. There's no strong embankment to protect us,...