Jhapa, August 5

The government and locals have launched a crusade to protect Chillagadhdham, which is at risk of being swept away by the Kankai River, at Shivsatasi VDC-8 in Jhapa.

Chillagadhdham is a very popular holy and tourist site in the east.

More than 150 people, including members of the People’s Embankment Programme, Nepali Army personnel from the Kali Bahadur Gan and the locals changed the course of the Kankai River, said Chillagadhdham Management Committee Chairman Til Bahadur Katuwal.

“We have dug out a temporary stream using two excavators. Hopefully, we will succeed in controlling the erosion,” Katuwal said.

Dham Secretary Bishnu Khatiwada said the locals were very much concerned about the preservation of the holy site. “The locals came unbidden after they found out that the sacred site was in danger,” said Khatiwada added.

Nine persons were killed in floods at different rivers in Jhapa, and three have gone missing.