Nepalgunj, July 5
A rain-swollen Rapti River is flowing above the danger mark, putting at least six villages under threat. There’s a siren warning system in place to make villagers aware of oncoming disaster. Disaster management officials have already warned people about the threat through the system.
At Kusum, the water level has increased to 5.2 metres as of 11 am, Tuesday, according to the Banke district police office.
If the Rapti water level reaches five metres, it means there’s possibility of a number of villages, including Holiya, Betahani, Fattepur, Kamdi, Gangapur and Matehiya, going under water, Banke police chief, DSP Tek Prasad Rai, said. In such cases, we warn the local people about the looming threat by turning on the siren system, he said.
Bhadra Bahadur Thapa, gauge reader at a Kusum-based station that monitors floods, said water level in the Rapti has started increasing gradually since Tuesday morning.
Rai said: We have information that water level in the Rapti is rising steadily. We have police units based in vulnerable areas on standby for rescue operations.
Stakeholders including Rai, speaking at a disaster preparedness workshop, said government and non-government organisations have preparedness programmes in place to deal with possible disasters.
Banke Chief District Officer Ravi Lal Pantha said they have done every bit to reduce losses resulting from disasters.
Ashok Chand, chief of the Nepal Army’s Rudradhoj Battalion, said the battalion has completed preparations for protection of lives in the event of flooding.
Rai informed his office has 199 police officials equipped with necessary logistics on standby for rescue operations.
Netra Khatri, Armed Police Force DSP, said a team comprising 295 specially-trained APF personnel is on standby for rescue operations.
Sharad Poudel, information officer at the Banke district development committee, said they have stored foodstuffs that will be sufficient to feed 300 families for three days, at Gangapur.
Niranjana Malla, programme coordinator at Nepal Red Cross Society (Banke), said they have stored food that may be required in the event of disaster. Malla said Red Cross has also conducted awareness programmes on disaster mitigation.
