Flood wreaks havoc in various places, four feared dead

Flood wreaks havoc in various places, four feared dead

Flood caused by torrential monsoon rainfall has wreaked havoc in a number of districts in southern plains, particularly affecting Banke and Bardiya in the mid-west and Jhapa in the east. Four people have been feared dead in separate incidents.

In Nepalgunj, a large section of the city has been waterlogged. In some parts of the city, water level has risen to 4 feet forcing the people to flee their homes and seek shelter in school buildings. Electricity supply in the city has also been cut off due to inundation of local station.

In Banke and Bardiya districts, the overflow from the swollen Rapti, Babai and other local streams have inundated surrounding villages. After two days of incessant rainfall, thousands of houses have been affected due to gushing flood waters. Reports say around 2000 people have been displaced from there.

In Dadeldhura, a boy named Madan Bhatta was swept away by a swollen local river.

In Jhapa district, reports say that scores of people have been affected, particularly in Anarmani VDC near Birtamode. Bhutanese refugee camps including Goldhap, Khudunabari, Timai, Beldangi in Jhapa and Pathari in Morang district have also been affected by the flood waters.

Likewise, flash floods have also affected Mahottari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Saptari, Bara and Nawalparasi districts. In Saptari, the local Bhim dam has been damaged affecting thirteen VDCs. A girl named Mamata Kumari Das has been swept away by swollen Mahauli stream. In Bara, 300 houses have been inundated including 200 in Dharmanagar area alone. Furthermore, in Nawalparasi, flood from Dhanewa river has inundated parts of Khadewa VDC.

In Udayapur district, two people have been feared dead after being swept away by swollen Triyuga river in separate incidents.

Meanwhile, Thir Bahadur GC, an under secretary at the Natural Disaster Relief Division at the Home Ministry, told Nepal FM, that the government has swung into action for rescue and relief. He claimed that the center is coordinating with district disaster relief committees.

On the other hand, landslide in Tanahun district has obstructed a section of Prithvi highway in Yenapak.

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has said that currently monsoon is more active in Terai than in hilly region. Country has seen heavy rainfall for the past one week. nepalnews.com sd Jul 26 07