Panchthar, July 22:

A flood forecast centre established in Panchthar district has been rendered useless for five years.

Situated on the bank of Tamor river, the Flood Forecasting Centre was rendered useless after the Maoists looted communication sets, solar panel and other important equipments five years ago during the insurgency period.

The Flood Forecasting Centre was established by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

"The machine to record the water level in the Tamor river has stopped working now and no effort has been made to replace it," a staffer at the Flood Forecasting Centre, Mangal Majhi, said.