Sushma speaks to Nepal Dy PM over flood-like situation along border

New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Monday and discussed the flood situation along India-Nepal border. In series of tweets, Indian Embassy at Kathmandu said that Swaraj assured all possible cooperation. Nepal was informed that all gates on barrages of Kosi, Gandak & Rapti rivers on Indian side are open. The flood situation arose due to incessant rains on both sides of the border. Indian Embassy is in constant touch with local authorities of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Government. Landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rain have killed at least 60 people in southern Nepal and left thousands homeless. Reportedly, 2,569 houses have collapsed, 39,272 houses have submerged in water and about six million people are affected throughout the country. "This kind of water havoc is witnessed after five years, with overflow of the Triyuga River. The Nepal Army and Armed Police Force are working on the rescue and relief operation. The current situation shows that the destruction caused is massive," a resident of Udayapur district in Eastern Nepal, Deepu Thapa said. "The Gaighat area and the houses around the Triyuga River are water logged and water level has also submerged the ground floor of some houses around here," he added. This natural calamity has affected the air land and telephone connectivity. The electricity in the rural areas has been totally cut off. However, the Nepal electricity authority has said that it will take over a week to replace the electricity facility in the affected areas.(ANI)