Severe Flooding in Bhajani Municipality Submerges Over 3000 Homes

Tikapur— Bhajani Municipality in Kailali has been heavily inundated following floods from the Kandra and Karasa rivers, leaving residents in a state of distress.

The flooding, exacerbated by continuous rainfall, has submerged all wards within the municipality, affecting more than 3,000 houses. Mayor Keval Chaudhary reported that the flooding has forced residents to evacuate their homes and seek refuge with relatives, on higher grounds, and along roads.

"All the houses in Ward No. 1 to 9 have been flooded," he stated. "Citizens have moved to their relatives' houses, high houses, and roads. Some families in the flooded area were living in the forest, but the forest department removed them a few days ago.

The municipality is unable to rescue thousands of families." Annual flooding is a recurrent issue in Bhajani, situated in the floodplain of the Mohana, Pathraiya, Kandra, and Kora rivers. This year's floods have created significant challenges for the municipality's rescue operations.

"There is no news of major property loss so far, but people's clothes, household goods, and food items have been damaged due to water entering the houses," Mayor Chaudhary added. "The municipality is struggling to provide rescue and relief.

 Sandesh Chaudhary of Ward No. 2 described his family's plight after abandoning their flooded home. "All our belongings got wet and destroyed. We left the house to save our lives," he said. "The government needs to create a safe living environment for us.

 In Joshipur Rural Municipality 3, over 200 houses in Bhitaria have been flooded due to the Kada river's rising water levels. Local resident Bhagiram Dagoura reported that more than 170 homes in Bhitaria village were submerged, with some families taking to the streets while others stayed inside their flooded homes.

Tragically, the floods have claimed at least one life. In Gauriganga Municipality, 20-year-old Sushmita Chaudhary was swept away by the floodwaters of the Kataini river while crossing a bridge, as confirmed by the district police office.

As the situation remains critical, the affected municipalities are urgently calling for government intervention and relief efforts to support the displaced families and mitigate further damage.