BIRATNAGAR, AUGUST 3

Province 1 Chief Minister Rajendra Kumar Rai has expressed serious concern and worry about the Saptakoshi River that has started entering human settlements.

Issuing a press note today, Chief Minister Rai said people of Baraha Kshetra Municipality in Sunsari and some wards of Udayapur Belaka Municipality in the province had been affected as the river had started moving westward.

The chief minister has urged people residing near the river banks along the Saptakoshi River to move to safer places. He has directed the local administration, local levels and people's representatives, security personnel, Red Cross and the bodies concerned to adopt safety measures to avoid a possible disaster.

Expecting the various social organisations to swing into action to provide immediate relief, Chief Minister Rai said the Province 1 government was committed to providing sufficient relief and carrying out rescue operations.

The chief minister is suffering from COVID-19 and is currently recuperating.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 4, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.