SURKHET: The local residents of two villages in Panchapuri Municipality located in the western part of Surkhet district have fallen ill from a viral fever.

The villagers from Narsi at Panchapuri Municipality-10 and Jamu-Galfa in ward no. 11 have been affected by the fever.

More than 500 households are suffering from the fever which spread 10 days ago in the villages located across the Bheri River.

The fever has taken children, youths and elderly citizens of the villages into its grip. The locals are enraged at the failure on part of the local authorities to provide them effective medical treatment.

The District Public Health Office (DPHO) in Surkhet had organised health camps for a day each in both the villages.

"The river, Bheri lies in the midst when we think of seeking treatment outside, there is no good health institute here," said Jamana Bhandari and added further "In name of health camp, a day's camp was held but the villagers are reeling with the fever."

As the DPHO has not held more health camps, the patients at the rate of 50 per day are forced to seek expensive treatment at local clinics, according to Saraswoti Primary School's Principal Hari Dhakal.