Saptakoshi erodes human settlements in Udayapur; govt. urges to step up rescue and relief efforts

KATHMANDU: The flood-fed Saptakoshi River has eroded human settlements in Belaka Municipality-1, 2, 8 and 9 of Udayapur.

Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand has directed all authorities concerned to step up the transfer, rescue and relief efforts in the flood-ravaged area after the swollen Saptakoshi river started eroding human settlements.

As informed the rising water level of the river has already eroded almost 50 metres of the human settlement.

The Home Ministry sources informed that the citizens residing in the erosion-prone areas are being shifted to the secured areas.

Home Minister Khand has also consulted Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka about the rehabilitation of flood-displaced people, their temporary settlement and relief arrangement. Minister Khand consulted with Foreign Minister Dr Khadka as the latter is also from the river-eroded Udayapur district.

Home Minister Khand directed Home Secretary Teknarayan Pandey, Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Anil Pokharel and Udayapur Chief District Officer Birendra Kumar Yadav, among others to immediately make arrangements of rescue, relief and temporary residents in the disaster-affected areas.

The erosion has invariably affected the residents of Dumikot and Lahurekhonch. As many as 2,400 households are projected to be affected from the erosion.

Security officials said the river has also taken away the structures that were constructed to check the erosion some days ago following the rise in water current.