KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall has caused the Bagmati River to swell, inundating the Radhaswami Squatter Holding Centre at Sundarighat in Kirtipur Municipality-10, forcing displaced squatters living there to flee once again.
Floodwaters entered the holding centre, where families relocated from informal settlements had been taking shelter. Victims said most of their household belongings, clothes and other essential items were soaked and damaged after the water entered the premises overnight.
Although security personnel used boats to retrieve some belongings, residents said they had little time to move their possessions to safety as the floodwaters rose suddenly. They also claimed that security forces arrived at the site only after around 2 am.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, authorities received information about the flooding at around 1:30 am. In response, a joint rescue team comprising 30 personnel from the Disaster Management Unit under the Riot Control Regiment, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and 30 additional Nepal Police personnel was deployed to the area.
The rescue team evacuated 54 of the 154 people staying at the holding centre and relocated them safely to Smriti Bhawan at Tribhuvan University.
Another six people have moved to stay with relatives or at nearby hostels. The remaining 94 residents chose not to relocate and are staying in parts of the holding centre that remain above the floodwaters.
The Home Ministry said relevant response clusters are currently coordinating relief efforts, including the distribution of food, drinking water and other essential supplies to those affected.
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