Biratnagar, August 23:

Ailing livestock and fodder are a problem in Sunsari district after inundation and erosion by the Koshi River. Although 40-50,000 people shifted to safety in four VDCs of Sunsari four days ago, livestock could not be rescued and fodder was not available, the Regional Livestock Health Services Directorate said.

If the cattle are not treated on time, they may die and diseases could spread among people, said Dr Shankar Yadav of the Livestock Research Lab. Sreepur, Haripur, Paschim Kusaha, Laukahi and other VDCs are affected by the flood.

Livestock in these VDCS are having trouble foraging due to four feet deep water.

A meeting chaired by Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Bijaya Kumar Mallik set up a Livestock Health Treatment and Rescue Committee led by senior veterinarian Dr Natthulal Chaudhary.

The meeting decided to send Rs 5,000 worth of medicines to all 16 district livestock related offices in the eastern region and request veterinary medicine companies, distributors, and dealers to cooperate.

A meeting of the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee held under the chairmanship of CDO Madhav Prasad Regmi in Morang also committed help for the same.

Government employees in Morang district also pledged to provide one day’s salary. UNICEF, World Vision, Plan Nepal, Morang Medical Association and businessmen have started sending food grains, medicines and health workers to help the flood victims.