The Mahakali river that flows through Kanchanpur has inundated riverside settlements, displacing more than 35 families.

Floodwaters from the swollen river entered Bhujela in Bhimdatta Municipality and Kutiyakabhar in Dodhara Chandani Municipality on Saturday evening, damaging several houses and properties.

According to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur, over 24 families of Kutiyakabhar in Dodhara Chandani Ward No. 10 have been displaced after the flooded Mahakali river blocked the flow of one of its tributaries.

Shanti Tol and Baiti Tol of Kutiyakabhar have also been completely inundated.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police in the District Police Office in Kanchanpur Amar Bahadur Thapa, the displaced families have been shifted to a safer location.

“Floodwaters have been entering the settlements since Saturday evening,” said Komal Upadhayay, an employee of the Nepal Red Cross Society in Dodhara Chandani. “Most of the houses in Kutiyakabhar have been affected by the flooded river. Some of the displaced families are taking shelter at their relatives’ houses.”

In Bhimdatta Municipality, 12 households in wards 11 and 12 have been displaced after the floodwaters from Bhujela stream entered their settlements.

According to the local people, the flooded Mahakali river has blocked the flow of the stream since Friday.

“We have been living on the roadside for the last three days,” said Prakash Sonaha, a displaced man from Ward No. 11. “Our house is submerged. The floodwaters entered our settlement and damaged our houses and properties. We haven’t been able to salvage anything.”

According to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur, some of the displaced families have been moved to temporary shelters.

The flooded Mahakali river has also damaged the access road of an under construction four-lane bridge. According to Kishor Pandeya, over 100 metres of the access road have been eroded by the flooded river. The construction work of the bridge has been halted.

“We will not be able to continue work until the water flow recedes. We are looking at a delay of about two to three months,” said Pandeya.

Incessant rainfall for the last few days has led to the swelling of the Mahakali river that flows through mountains, hills and the Chure area from Dharchula to Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim Province.

On Friday, the District Administration Office in Darchula had urged people living near river banks to stay on high alert citing that they are at high risk of floods.