By Laxman Poudel, Bhairahawa, Sept. 29: Relief materials have been provided to the flood victims of Marchawar in the southern part of Rupandehi.

Some 44 flood victims of Marchawar were provided with a full-package relief which includes food supplies, clothes, utensils, and tents among others.

The relief materials were provided jointly by UNICEF, Rupandehi District Crisis Management Committee, Nepal Red Cross Society, Rupandehi, and Unified Model Development Council in coordination with the Rupandehi District Administration Office and the local levels.

"The full package subsidies were provided to 44 flood victims and some relief materials were distributed to other 19 victims," informed Gyanu Poudel, Chairman of the Council.  

Poudel said that sirens were also provided to Sammarimai Gaupalika-3 and Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality-2 for flood preparedness and response.

Addressing the relief distribution programme, Bijaya Raj Poudel, Assistant Chief District Officer of Rupandehi, said, "The flood victims could file an application to the DAO by attaching the details of the physical and agricultural loss, police report and recommendation of the ward office to receive additional help."

Poudel also stressed the need for a long-term crisis management policy for the Marchawar area, which gets inundated by flood every year.

Stating that an eight-kilometer concrete dam in Danab River could prevent inundation in dozens of villages of the area, Jitendranath Shukla (Bablu), Chairman of Sammarimai Gaupalika, requested the stakeholders to initiate the construction of the dam.