KATHMANDU: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood today handed over a cheque of Rs 82.39 million to Minister for Irrigation, Bal Krishna Khand, to construct embankments along Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamla rivers.

The cheque was handed over amid a programme organised at the Irrigation Ministry. This assistance is being extended by India in accordance with the decisions taken by the Nepal-India Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management.

On the occasion, Minister Khand appreciated India’s continuous assistance to Nepal in various development sectors.

With the current assistance, the total grant assistance already disbursed for embankment construction along the three rivers now stands at Rs 878.2 million, of which Rs. 531.5 million has been made available earlier this year.

Separately, India has committed grant assistance of Rs 109.96 million for flood protection works along Trijuga, Lakhandei, Sunsari and Kankai rivers in Nepal.

According to Indian Embassy here,India remains committed to continuously working closely with Nepal for further development and cooperation in the field of water resources.

Settlements near the rivers, especially in the Tarai are facing perennial problems of flood and inundation.

Lack of embankments has threatened settlements near the Koshi river.