MAHENDRANAGAR, June 27: Swollen Mahakali River has obstructed the construction work of an embankment in the river in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Darchula.

A massive flood in the river had wreaked havoc in Khalanga two years ago whereas the halt in embankment construction has increased the risk of flood.

Work to control the river had started a year after the flood caused massive damage in the area. However, the obstruction in dyke construction has once again made locals vulnerable to flooding.

River Control Project Chief Mahendra Prasad Badu said that they had to halt the work due to rise in water levels in the river. “We have failed to give continuity to the embankment construction owing to increasing water levels,” Badu said. He added that problems while transporting the construction materials had also prompted the halt.

He said that work to control the river would continue for three more months. Construction of the dyke for river control under Mahakali River Control Project is underway in 13 packages in Darchula.

According to Badu, work from eight packages at high-risk areas was initiated at the first phase last year. “Though the construction companies had agreed to complete the work by September next year, only a few places have reported satisfactory work,” he said.

He maintained that it was not possible to continue the work at the time of flooding.

Badu informed that the work was satisfactory at packages number two, four and six. Nevertheless, concrete dykes are yet to be built. “We have just filled out the ground with boulders for flood control. Contractors have said that they will not be able to continue their work at the moment,” he added.

He said that structures built so far had withstood yesterday’s flood. “Floods more powerful than that of yesterday could pose danger,” he warned.