Nawalparashi(Bardaghat-Susta-Paschim) : The residents of Susta have been evacuated and moved to safety after the flood in Narayani River in Chitwan entered their settlement.
As incessant rainfall continues to swell water levels in the Narayani River the Susta folks were brought across the River.
Floodwater entered and inundated the settlements including Tharu Tole and other areas at Susta rural municipality-5 in Nawalparashi west on last Friday.
The Susta villagers were initially moved to shelters within Susta as the situation worsened, informed Deepakraj Nepal, Chief District Office (CDO) of Nawalparashi.
CDO Nepal shared that more than 800 local residents have now been brought across the Narayani River to Balinagar, where they are being sheltered at BP Secondary School.
“Susta has 219 households with more than 1,450 residents. Some had already left and were staying with relatives, while the remaining residents were evacuated with the support of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force,” he mentioned.
A suspension bridge over the Narayani River had been the main route connecting Susta with the safer side of the river. But as the water level alarmingly rose to 11.94 metres on Sunday, authorities had to raise sections of the bridge, delaying the movement of people to the school shelter.
The Nawalparashi Red Cross and the Nawalparasi Chamber of Commerce and Industries have already reached the inundation affected areas with relief materials, he said.
Presently, the water flow at the Gandak Barrage is measured at 479,100 cusecs, said Shovit Haluwai, Contact and Land Acquisition Officer at the Gandak Project Office in Bhaisalotan Valmikinagar.
Authorities also remain on high alert as continuous rainfall and rising water level pose furthers risks to local communities along the Narayani River.
