Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

High-level government team to camp in Sunsari for rescue works

A high-level government team headed by ministers of defense and physical planning is to execute its works by camping at the flood-affected region so as to make effective 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.

Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, 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 for effective coordination at the ground level and to carry out the rescue and relief efforts in war footing.

Meanwhile, Indian technicians have begun repair works at the Saptakoshi river at Haripur-9 of Saptari district following security assurance by local authorities, the Kathmandu Post reports.

The team, in coordination with Nepali contractors, will take measures to stop further erosion of the Saptakoshi embankment. The initiation was taken following directives from the Bihar state government of India.

The report said that 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 - thereby posing a serious threat to over 15,000 displaced people sheltering here following the disaster. nepalnews.com Aug 27 08