Vehicular movement across the Banbasa Bridge at the Nepal-India border has been halted following the increase in water level in the Mahakali River induced by incessant rains of the past three days, raising flood fears.

The flooded river, on Thursday, had breached the foundation of an under-construction embankment at Bangabagada on Thursday. According to the locals, the rain-swollen river started eroding the land after it damaged the concrete foundation of the embankment constructed by Mahakali River Control Project. 

Security personnel from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force have been deployed to prevent flood waters from causing damages. 

The water flow in the river rose suddenly after 2 pm, raising alarms among the people of Darchula living close to the river.

Four years ago, flood in the Mahakali River had swept away 156 houses in Darchula. The construction of embankment was started in the wake of the devastating flood that also killed 12 people.