Residents of Inarba in Baudhimai Municipality, Rautahat, have been relieved after the Water Induced Disaster and River Control Division Office constructed 13 spurs in Lalbakaiya river to change its course away from the settlement.

The river had damaged its embankment 10 days ago, spreading fear of flood in Inarba. Chief District Officer Govinda Prasad Rijal said there was no immediate flood threat to Inarba after the construction of spurs.

 “The course of the river has been redirected away from the settlement,” said Rijal.

The 13 spurs were built by security personnel from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and technicians from the division office.

There are nearly 400 households living near the embankment of Lalbakaiya river. The local administration had advised these households to stay alert after the embankment was damaged by the flooded river.

Inarba locals had long been facing the problems of flood and erosion from the Lalbakaiya river, said Raj Kumar Shreebastab, chief of the division office.

“Changing the course of the river has saved the settlement,” he added.

Last year, Lalbakaiya and Bagmati rivers in the district had breached their embankments at 31 places, putting dozens of villages in risk.

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