Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba visited the flood-hit Bhediya and Mayanakaredi areas in Saptari district on Friday and announced a relief package to the flood-affected households.

He also said the government would prioritise embankment building on rivers and streams to control floods and erosion.

PM Deuba, along with Home Minister Janardan Sharma, chairmen of various parliamentary committees and lawmakers from the district reached the flood-hit area on a helicopter.

The prime minister met with the flood victims and observed the dam reconstruction works being carried out by the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. After meeting the affected people, PM announced Rs25,000 to Rs15,000 for zinc sheets and Rs10,000 to build temporary shelter—for each affected family.

PM Deuba also pledged loans up to Rs1.5 million at a minimum interest rate for the victims to start their business. “A health team with free medicines has been sent to the flood-hit areas and the drinking water shortage will be resolved soon,” said PM Deuba. The flood victims urged the prime minister to find a long-term solution to the perennial problem by building a permanent embankment. Home Minister Sharma also directed local authorities to provide food, water and health facilities for the affected people.

More than 100 families of Bhediya, Mayanakaredi and Raghunathpur have been displaced after floodwaters entered their settlements when the rain-swollen Mahuli River breached its embankment at five places last week.

Two houses swept away

BAJHANG:

 A landslide triggered by incessant rains has swept away two houses at Bithadchir Rural Municipality in Bajhang district. Chief district Officer Keshav Bahadur Thapa said the displaced people are taking shelter in a local school building. “We are going to provide relief materials to the victims soon,” he said. Police said property worth over Rs1 million was destroyed in the disaster.