Flood victims in Saptari are reeling under a drinking water shortage after their settlements were inundated by monsoon floods. 

People have been forced to use polluted water from tube wells, which have caused many to fall sick. 

On Saturday, flood waters from the rain-swollen Mahuli river had entered into the Bhediya, Mayanakaredi and Raghunathpur settlements in the district. 

“We are using muddy water from the tube-well. There are no alternative source of drinking water here,” said Sanjanadevi Mukhiya of Bhediya. ‘

Health volunteer Indradevi Yadav said that children of Bhediya and Mayanakaredi have been taken ill due to polluted water. 

She added that the local health administration has not supplied essential medicines for distribution in the flood-affected areas. 

Meanwhile, the flood victims of Bhediya and Mayanakaredi received government relief materials six days after the flood on Thursday. 

Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Katuwal distributed Rs 5,000 to 15 families whose houses were swept away by the floods.

The Tirahut Rural Municipality also distributed grains to the flood victims of Bhediya and Mayanakaredi.