Rautahat, July 25

Floods in Lalbakaiya and Jhanjha rivers have terrorised locals in Rautahat.

The devastation caused by floods and inundation followed by incessant rainfall on July 12 and 13 has yet to fade away from the people’s minds.

The high flow of water  in Lalbakiaya River has entered district headquarters Gaur and inundated Banjarha area of Ishanath Municipality. The dam in the river was breached by floods on July 13. Flood has also entered Sabagadha of Gaur Municipality. Vehicular movement was obstructed after the water level over the causeway reached its high point along the Gaur-Chandranigahapur road section.

Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, along with locals, have been helping people cross the road using rope.

DSP Nabin Karki of Rautahat District Police Office, said the flood had also entered Mahadevpatti and customs area in Gaur Municipality. DSP Karki added that life in the district was affected after floods entered settlement areas.

Local administration has urged people not to go near the flooded areas.

Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa said that Gaur — the district headquarters — would be at high risk of floods if the rainfall did not stop.

Rautahat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Pandit Jaisawal said the business community of Gaur had already faced great loss due to the floods of July 12 and 13. He said they anticipate and fear more floods as the rain has yet to stop. Jaisawal said the business community would shift from Gaur if the problem of flooding was not resolved permanently.