South Asia News
Thousands flee Koshi River floods in south-eastern Nepal
Aug 18, 2008, 10:16 GMT
Kathmandu - Thousands of people fled their homes in south-eastern Nepal after the Koshi River breached its banks and flooded two dozen villages, media reports said Monday.
At least 25,000 people sought refuge in Saprtari district, about 380 kilometres south-east of the Nepalese capital, independent Kantipur Radio reported quoting government officials.
'The embankment collapsed after heavy overnight monsoon rains in the area and water from the flooded river submerged large portions of land near the India border,' said Guru Prasad Subedi, a government officer in the district.
'We are asking people to leave their villages as soon as possible and the government is setting up temporary shelter to accommodate them,' Subedi said.
The collapse of about 1 kilometre of embankment also submerged major highway virtually halting transport.
Koshi is a major river system of Nepal. The embankment was built to prevent flooding of villages near Koshi dam, which is controlled by India.
Sources said the government would ask India to help rebuild the embankment.
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