Paschim Kusaha, September 3:

Flood victims taking shelter along the East West Highway have started returning to their villages after the water level in the inundated Paschim Kusaha VDC started subsiding.

At least 100 displaced families taking refuge along the 8-km stretch of the highway from Bhantabari to Laukahi of the district have already left for their homes.

Ram Chandra Mehata, a flood victim of Paschim Kusaha who returned home yesterday, said water level in the village had gone down significantly.

Locals said water level decreased as the flood water started draining to a low-lying area, which has now taken a form of a river. Nearly ten feet of water had inundated the village when the embankment over Koshi river collapsed. The water level has now gone down to less than a foot in Paschim Kusaha.

Nepal Army personnel, who were rescuing villagers and their properties in Paschim Kusaha, have started leaving the village from Monday. Rescue operation by using boats became difficult after the water level subsided, an army personnel deployed for the rescue operation said.

Another flood victim, Kalsi Devi Mukhiya, who was taking shelter in a tent along the highway, also returned home today. “Living a life as a displaced was very difficult.

Displaced people living in Inaruwa and Koshi barrage area were getting relief from different organisations. But people taking shelter along a section of the flooded highway were deprived of relief,” she complained.