Heavy rains wreak havoc in the east

BIRAGNAGAR, JUL 10 -
Heavy rain s in the past two days have caused floods in rivers at various parts of eastern Nepal, inundating houses and destroying farmlands.

Around 1,200 houses at Portaha village of Saptari were swamped after continuous rain fall caused a dam at a local river to burst, police said. In Gobindapur of Morang, water from rain -swollen Bakraha river is spilling over the banks, posing flood risk to more than 300 houses nearby.

Electricity supply to the eastern districts has discontinued after the rain water flooded the control room of the Duhabi Grid Branch of Nepal Electricity Authority.

Floodwaters from local rivers and streams waterlogged dozens of houses in Itahara and Motipur of Morang. Flood in Budikhola in Sunsari, meanwhile, damaged some houses in Itahari. Dozens of houses in the area are threatened.

In Udayapur, rain waters deluged dozens of places, including the district headquarters Gaighat, while the flood at Triyuga river poses risk to dozens of settlements close to the banks.

Rainwaters flooded dozens of places in Damak and its adjoining areas in Jhapa district. Heavy rain fall affected the traffic movement along the Damak-Birtamod section

of the East-West Highway, as the rain waters swept away a road diversion at Sitapuri.

Transport service in the eastern hill district of Taplejung has also been hit due to the rain -triggered landslips at various places.

Landslide along the Muglin section of Prithvi Highway also obstructed the traffic movement for hours on Tuesday.

Continuous rain fall for the past few days has increased the water flow rate at the Saptakoshi river. The measurement taken on Tuesday morning showed the rate of water flow at 238,000 cusec, prompting the authorities at the Koshi barrage to lift 31 out of 56 floodgates. The authorities have also switched on the red light at the barrage as a cautionary signal.

Water level in Babai and Karnali rivers in Bardiya district has also increased, threatening dozens of settlements and farmlands. In Banke, rain -swollen Rapti river has threatened Ghodiyanpurwa, Tepari, Piprahawa, Khadaichha and Kanaipurwa villages.

River displaces 14 families

PARASI: Floodwaters from the Kerung river has displaced 14 families in Shivamandir VDC of Nawalparasi. After the river started flooding the VDC from Monday morning, security personnel were mobilised to rescue villagers.

Police said more than 60 other families living by the riverside are at high risk of flood. In Dang, floodwaters from Bagai and Lotahi rivers entered a settlement of freed Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) in Chailahi VDC-2, sweeping away four houses on Monday night. The victims are taking shelter at their neighbours’ houses.

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