With a rise in water level on the Rati river, the local administration has alerted the people nearby to stay safe.

The local administration warned the residents of Jhagadiya, Piprahawa, Deupura, Shantinagar and Gangapur of Phattepur of the possible risk of flood and inundation in the area.

The eastern settlement faces a high risk of flood after the river changed its course. “We have asked the locals to stay safe and sound alarm as the water level rises,” said Chief District Officer Rabilal Pantha, adding that security personnel were mobilised to control the flood.

According to locals, floodwater is advancing towards the settlement. The roads and paddy field have already been inundated, said Durga Prasad Burma of Phattepur.

The flood measurement centre in Kusum showed the water level at 5.2

metres at 10:45am. The administration issued the warning after the water level crossed 4.7 metres on Tuesday morning.

Three persons drown in total

BIRATNAGAR: Three persons drowned in separate incidents in Kanchanpur, Morang and Sunsari districts in the past 24 hours. Police in Kanchanpur said an elderly man was found dead in a drain in Bhimdatta Municipality on Tuesday. In Morang, a 60-year-old man drowned in a local stream on Monday evening, said police. In Sunsari, a 12-year-old Indian was found dead in a water-filled pit at Bhaluwa-2 in Duhabi.