Nepal government team to camp in Sunsari for rescue work

Kathmandu, Aug 27 : A high-level government team headed by ministers of defense and physical planning is to monitor the execution of work at the flood-affected areas at Sunsari and supervise the rescue and relief efforts for Saptakoshi flood victims.

A council of ministers meeting chaired by acting Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had reached the decision to this effect.

The team, which also comprises secretaries of the concerned ministries, high government officials and security chiefs, arrived in Sunsari on Tuesday.

The team has also been given the authority to immediately assume all the responsibilities to mobilize resources for smooth execution of the rescue and relief efforts.

A "Saptakoshi Disaster Management Coordination Committee" headed by secretary at the Home Ministry Pratap Kumar Pathak and consisting of regional security chiefs has been also been formed to carry out the rescue and relief efforts on war footing.

Meanwhile, Indian technicians have begun repair works at the Saptakoshi River at Haripur-9 of Saptari district.

The team will take measures to stop further erosion of the Saptakoshi embankment. The work started following directives from the Bihar government.

Following the breach of the western Kushaha embankment in neighboring Sunsari district a week ago, the river waters changed course and began eroding the Bhantabari embankment at Haripur.

It is posing a serious threat to over 15,000 displaced people taking shelter here.

Earlier President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav said that the government is planning to provide separate settlements to the people displaced by the Saptakoshi River, Nepalnews reported.

ANI