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Flood affected Saptari people face acute shortage of clean drinking water



Flood affected children in Saptari, 2024. (file)

Rajbiraj, Oct 7: The flood victims who were left homeless due to the recent flood are now facing a lack of clean drinking water. They are struggling without water and having to live in mud houses.

Bokai Sada, a resident of Kankalini Municipality, mentioned that many flood victims are getting sick due to the absence of clean drinking water. He shared that he fell ill with symptoms like cold, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea after consuming contaminated water.

The flood victims residing near the Koshi barrage have been relying on Koshi river water and tubewell water for drinking. It is suspected that the water might be causing the illnesses. Sada expressed, “Children are falling sick, and we have no food due to the destruction of our supplies. We are exposed to the scorching sun outdoors.”

Bhagawat Mukhiya, another flood victim from the same area, reported that a team of health workers has arrived in the region. He criticized the unequal distribution of relief materials and the lack of proper assistance, leaving the victims in distress. “Apart of beaten rice and noodles, we have not received any relief materials,” he added.

Parvez Alam, a local flood victim, shared how the flood during the paddy harvesting season left them homeless and hungry. He lamented about facing a year of starvation due to the damaged paddy crop and appealed for assistance from all levels of government.

Hundreds of flood victims from Hanumannagar, Kankalini are suffering from the aftermath of the floods caused by the Koshi and Jita rivers. Mayor Birendra Majhi of Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality said that the local government is providing clean drinking water, prompt medical care, and relief supplies to the flood victims.

Rajesh Kumar Jha, Disaster Management Officer of Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality, informed that residents in wards 3, 4, 5, and 7 are facing water-related challenges. He mentioned that preparations are underway to distribute “Hygiene Kits,” drinking mugs, buckets, and jugs to 252 families through an organization named Sabal Nepal, with the coordination of the village council and support from UNICEF, to aid the flood victims. #flood #monsoon #inundate