5 dead, 3 missing in monsoon flooding in eastern region

ITAHARI: Normal life in different areas in the eastern part of the country was affected due to incessant rainfall. At least five persons have died and three others are still missing due to floods.

According to the Eastern Regional Police Office, Biratnagar, hundreds of people have been displaced in different districts in the east. Similarly, two persons were dead and three are still missing indifferent places in Jhapa district, stated the Office.

An unidentified woman of around 42 years of age was swept away by Kamalkhola (river) in Panchganchi VDC-1, while two-year-old Rohaman Karmakar, son of Raju Karmakar of Sharanamati VDC-8 drowned in drainage near his home in the district. Condition of missing Shiva Rai, 24, Dhiraj Tajpuriya, 25, and one unidentified youth, who were swept away by the Ratuwakhola (river) since Monday has not been known.

The youth had gone missing while they were collecting firewood brought by the flooded river, stated police at Damak.

Similarly, 72-year-old, Tul Bahadur Rai of Jalpa Chilaune VDC-8 died after he fell on a causeway at Bhantabari of Triyuga Municipality, Udayapur district while he was crossing the river.

Likewise, Pramila Magar, of Tribeni VDC-4, died as she slipped on her way to fetch drinking water in Udayapur.In the similar incident in Kerabari VDC-3 of Morang district, Sujan Limbu, of Singha Devi VDC-7 died last evening while he was crossing river.

Meanwhile, as many as 1,200 houses were inundated in Portaha VDC of Saptari district after the Mahuli Embankment was broken away, confirmed the Eastern Regional Police Office, Biratnagar.

Also, as many as 300 houses have been at high risk of flood when the Bakrahakhola (river) in Govindapur VDC eroded land while 30 houses have been completely inundated in Itahara VDC, 40 houses in Hattimudha VDC, said police.

Some of the houses were demolished and dozens of houses are at high risk due to flood water on Budhikhola at Itahari, Sunsari, and around half dozen of VDCs have been inundated due to flood water in Sunsarikhola (river), police said.

Likewise, in Saptari district, flood in different rivers inundated around a dozen VDCs.As many as 700 houses were inundated due to flood water in Mahuli and Sundari rivers in Maina Kaderi, Barmajhiya, Trikaul, Bairaba, and Portaha, among other VDCs.The flood water also entered in Barmajhiya Bazaar, along the East-West Highway.

In the meantime, District Natural Disaster Control and Relief Committee, Morang held an emergency meeting to find possible solutions to rescue people from flood affected and inundated areas.The meeting chaired by Ganesh Raj Karki, Chief District Officer (CDO), held discussions to manage rescue support to the flood affected and inundated areas.

The meeting also reviewed the rescue efforts made in the initiatives of the committee and thought for possible arrangement for food, shelter, clothes, security, and health condition of the rescued people in the district. The committee has urged the government and non-government organizations to support in data collection and relief distribution to the flood victims.