Swollen Narayani river endangers human settlements

CHITWAN: At least 1,200 houses in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-27 and 28 are at risk as the swollen Narayani river has been eroding embankment in the area since Saturday.

Local representatives and local administration visited the site today and initiated efforts to prevent further land erosion along the river banks.

According to Jitendra Basnet, Chief District Officer, Chitwan, at least 150 metres embankment along the river has been eroded. Two families residing in nearby houses have been shifted to local Jeetpur School, Basnet added.

"Security agencies have been mobilised to control the erosion along the river banks," Basnet shared.

The District Disaster Management Committee along with Narayani River Control Project, Road Division Office, engineers at the Irrigation Office held a discussion today over controlling the erosion along the river banks.

The meeting also decided that the Narayani River Control Project would bear all costs for the time being and Bharatpur Metropolis would bear transportation costs, according to CDO Basnet.

However, Mayor Renu Dahal was unreachable to comment on the matter.

Incessant rainfall in the hilly area has led to a rise in water level in Narayani river putting human settlements in the area at high risk.