Kathmandu, June 14:Minister for Home Govinda Raj Joshi, furnishing details concerning a motion of public importance at the meetings of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly today, said that life in various districts of the country has been affected by the incessant rains last week.

He referred to the loss of life and property caused by the swollen rivers in these districts, the damage to developmental structures, erosion of arable land and collapse of embankments at different places.

Efforts have been made in the best possible manner to bring relief and rescue to the affected families, he said.

Giving details about the loss of life and property received from different districts, he said that Kata Jaisi of Wai VDC ward No 5 in Bajura district is suspected to have drowned in the Karnali river after participating in the cremation of one of his relatives.

Part of Harihar Higher Secondary School at Arghakachi Pokarathok VDC ward No 1 has collapsed because of rain and the roof has been damaged by gale, he said and made it clear that transportation services have resumed on the Patharkot-Sandhikharka motorable road at the initiative of the local administration. The road had closed down due to land slides at different points.

Similarly, a suspension bridge over the Kalanga river at Khiratadi VDC in Bajhang has been completely swept away and five houses at Dah Bagar VDC ward No 3 and a house at ward No 1 were also swept away, he said.

He said that bridges at Rato Dhunga and Jaltadi and a bridge on the Kalanga river were completely destroyed by flood of June 8 and a water mill and some shops at Sunikot VDC swept away by the Sunigad river.

A suspension bridge at that locality is also under threat, he added.

He said that houses and animal sheds of three families including that of Shiva Lal Parajuli at Abini VDC ward No. 3 of Gulmi district had been damaged due to the landslide triggered by incessant rain and a rescue team had already been sent to the affected area.

Stating that the flood as a result of incessant rain from June 6 had submerged forty-two houses in the east part of Narayanpur VDC ward No. 8 Sati Bazaar, washed away five houses at Dhanarsipur VDC ward No. 2 and 9, affected six houses at Tikapur VDC and damaged four houses at Sahajpur VDC of Kailali district, he said that flood was receding at present.

He further said the devastating flood on the local Geruwa (Karnali) river of Bardiya district due to heavy downpour since June 7 had affected 198 persons of 55 families living permanently and temporarily at the islands of the river and along its bank but they were rescued on June 9 with the cooperation of the local administration, the police and the local boatmen.

As the flood had affected the people of Kherichandpur VDC ward Nos. 1, 5 and 6 also, local Red Cross and other voluntary organisations were mobilised to rescue them, he added.

Minister Joshi said that the house of Dayaram Bista, a resident of Chhinchu VDC ward No. 8 of Surkhet district collapsed due heavy rain on June 8 killing his two year old daughter Deepa Bista on the spot while two persons who sustained minor injuries were undergoing treatment at Surkhet hospital.

Likewise, some houses of Silgadhi Municipality and Lamikhel VDC of Doti district have been submerged due to the swollen Seti river on June 8.

Stating that the swollen river had eroded about 150 bighas of land at ward Nos. 5, 6 and 7 of Lamikhel VDC in the district, he informed that some people marooned at Girichauka VDC ward No. 4 Maurinagar were being rescued.

As the water of the swollen Seti river had damaged fifty houses at Dhungad VDC of Baitadi district on June 9, field visit was made and the local administration had already sent a rescue team, Home Minister Joshi informed.

Minister Joshi said that Ekka Bahadur Dharala, 11, son of Brish Bahadur Bharala of Talium VDC ward No. 6 of Jumla district died on the spot when his house collapsed on June 11.

The Home Minister also informed the House that directives had already been issued to the Chief District Officers. to undertake all possible relief and rescue operations by keeping in touch and maintaining coordination with the agencies concerned with natural calamity management. Cooperation is being extended to the affected people through the initiatives of the various governmental, non-governmental and voluntary organisations as well as social activists, he added.