KATHMANDU, July 3: Locals of Gudariya have broken a dam of Gandak Canal, a joint irrigation and power project between Nepal and India, in Susta rural municipality-2 of Nawalparasi district to prevent their arable land from further inundation.

After the water overflowed and waterlogged their crop fields, following the incessant rain, the local residents broke the dam to channelize the water toward into the canal, according to reports. Around 200 bigha land has been submerged this year due to water diverted from barrages, dams and embankments constructed by India.

East Nawalparasi Chief District Officer Devendra Lamichhane said that they are aware of the situation and are in talks to resolve the issues.

India has built over 18 dams, embankments and water holding structures along the southern border for irrigation purpose and to avoid flood damage; that include Laxampur dam in Banke, Sharada Dam on the Mahakali river in Kanchanpur district, Kailashpuri dam in Kailali, Gopiya Dam in Bardia, Koiralabas in Dang, Mahalisagar in Taulihawa, Kapilvastu, Dandafarena  in Rupandehi, Gandak  in Nawalparasi, Bagmati and Ratu in Rautahat, Harkatti  in Siraha, Luna  in Saptari, and the Koshi barrage in the eastern region.

But, every year, during the monsoon, thousands of people in the Nepali side are affected and thousands of bighas of lands are destroyed by the inundation and soil erosion caused by dams as Indian side are reluctant to open the gates.

KATHMANDU, July 2: Incessant rainfall since Sunday evening has inundated Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city and surrounding areas.

Belaspur, Dhamboji, Setu BK Chowk, Gharbari tole, Fultekre, Buspark, Bhrikutinagar and Banke village have been waterlogged by the continuous rainfall affecting the daily lives of the residents there.

Students have been unable to go to school and colleges and public transportation have been affected. Pedestrians have faced problems as well.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Rapti River has increased up to two meters threatening people living in the settlements nearby rivers. If the water level exceeds five meters, dozens of villages located in the lower areas will be submerged. District Disaster Management Committee has warned people to stay alert of the possible floods.

Chief District Officer of Banke, Ramesh Kumar KC said that people living nearby Rapti river Daduwa and Raptisonari have been urged to stay alert against the flood and find higher and secure grounds.

The local administration has also directed the security bodies to remain high alert for rescue operations.

The rain has also flooded Birgung city and many other parts of the districts,Ranighat, Tripur, Panityanki, Nagwa, Bhisuwa, Ramgadawa, Birta, Chapkaiya and Adarshanagar.

Meanwhile, water level has crossed danger level in Narayani and Babai river. The government has issued flood alert notice to the people living the areas nearby rivers in western Nepal.

Last year in August, a devastating monsoon flood followed by three days of relentless downpour killed 141 people, submerging 48000 homes and affecting over six million people in central and western Terai.

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Thirteen others have been rescued. The dead bodies were recovered some 100 meters down the road.  Area Police Office said that identity of the deceased has not been ascertained.  Police said that the pilgrims were heading to worship in the Madhuganga Mahadev Temple at Hatpate.

Most of the visitors were from Sarlahi district and Sursand region of India, the adjoining region of the district.

According to the Area Police Office, Mugling, the highway that was obstructed from 8:30 am resumed after around two hours.

Earlier, hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the way.  But, now they have headed for their destinations after clearing the landslips.

KATHMANDU: The death toll due to monsoon flooding has reached 44 across the country so far.

However, locals and other organization cast doubt on this number as many have gone missing in the flooding.

The highest casualty has been recorded in Kalikot at 11 followed by seven in Dailekh, according to the Nepal Red Cross Society.

A total of 16 districts in the far and mid-western region were highly affected by the heavy thunder-shower with Darchula, Kalikot, Bardia, Humla and Accham in the forefront.

The details of the damaged caused to property, livestock and physical infrastructure is yet to be received, said Director of the Society’s Disaster Management Department Pitamber Aryal.

As many as 936 on Sunday entered to Nepalgunj via Jamunaha Point in Banke along the Nepal-India border, Administrative Officer at the local Administration Office Basanta Kanaujiya said. He said 483 Nepali have returned home alone from Kedarnath today who had been there in course of employment and pilgrimage.

Many of Nepali people are feared to have died in the floods and landslides that struck the Kedarnath area recently. The Kedarnath Temple is the famous Hindu pilgrimage and many devotees and tourist visit the site every year.

The local administration arranged food and provided travel allowance to 47 flood-hit Nepalis who returned home on Monday.

The delegation comprising of party leaders Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and central members urged Chairman Regmi for relief to the victims and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructures.

On the occasion, they also discussed on holding the upcoming election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) in a free and fair manner.

Chairman Regmi urged to move ahead without being entangled in any dispute as it was the responsibility of all the political parties to hold the CA election successfully in the context that its date has been already declared, Lohani quoted Regmi as saying.

Regmi informed that the government has made all the necessary preparations required for the election.

However, leader Chanda pointed out that the government should take initiative to increase broader participation of people in election and to ensure participation of more and more political parties in the election.

Chanda stressed that the government should move ahead by making short-term and long-term plans as the landslides and floods have destroyed infrastructures across the country, Co-spokesperson of the party, Kiran Giri quoted Chanda.

The party also demanded that reconstruction of the damaged physical infrastructures be carried out soon and special compensation be provided to families of those who lost their lives in the floods.

KATHMANDU: Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda held discussions this morning regarding the issues ranging from relief to the flood victims and election preparations.

During the meeting, the two discussed the ways to provide relief to the flood victims in the far and mid west districts.

On Thursday, Chairman Regmi had visited the flood affected districts and announced to provide Rs 500 million in the new budget.

Prachanda also thanked the government’s promptness to provide relief to the flood victims.

Likewise, Prachanda also asked Regmi to provide Rs 100,000 each to every flood victim family.

During the meeting, the UCPN (Maoist) Chairman also urged Regmi to hold talks with the Indian officials regarding the construction of Dhauliganga embankment carried out by the Indian government.

Locals and stakeholders have said that the embankment was the main cause of damage in Darchula district caused by flood last week.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leaders have also urged Regmi to expedite government bid to distribute relief to the flood victims.

Going to India in search of a seasonal job is a common practice in west Nepal. Dal Bahadur Singh, who was also in the team while going to India from the village, two months back informed the victims’ kin over phone.

The Nepalis youth were swept near Kedar Dham, a famous religious site in India. Abhi Bahadur Singh, Ganesh Bahadur Singh, Bakhath Bahadur Singh, Dhirendra Bahadur Singh, Birendra Bahadur Singh and Hari Bahadur Singh of Talegaun of Jajarkot district. All the deceased youth hail from the same locality

Police teams deputed from Doti and Achham districts retrieved the couple’s bodies this morning, it is learnt.