Melamchi flood survivors meet PM Deuba, requesting for relief

KATHMANDU, July 26: Flood survivors from Melamchi of Sindhupalchowk district today called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, seeking the role of government in the prevention and management of possible disaster in the future.  They have demanded the government immediately construct an embankment to the river so that potential incidents of the river-based disasters could be avoided.  A delegation of the survivors led by Sagar Kumar Shrestha reached the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar to apprise the Prime Minister of their issues.  The government has been urged to restore the river to its original course, to manage soil to mend the damaged houses and farm and to bring an economic package targeting those survivors who have lost homes, jobs and their business to the devastating flood that occurred in the second week of June. Similarly, a demand has been put for waiving off interest of bank loans of traders affected by the flood .A short-term and long-term relief package has been sought for peasants, business community and students.  More, the prompt management of a Bailey at Melamchi and Healmbu, discount on electricity tariff, implementation of a greater project for the reconstruction of the flood-hit areas, proper compensation to the bereaved families including jobs are other demands put forth by the delegation before the Prime Minister.  After hearing from the delegation, Prime Minister Deuba said he was updated about the Melamchi flood and damages caused by it and was highly serious towards the demands.  Sindhupalchowk district is one of the districts largely affected by the 2015 April 25 earthquake. Helambu rural municipality, Melamchi municipality and Panch Pokhari Thangpaal rural municipality suffered wider implications of the flood occurred in the aftermath of the incessant rain in the night of June 15.