By Basanta Parajuli, Sauraha, July 1: The settlements and hotels around the river banks in Chitwan are at high risk of being inundated as the incessant rainfall has increased the water level of all rivers and streams in the district.

Currently, 20 houses in Baghmara, located near Sauraha, have been inundated due to flooding over the Budhi Rapti River. It has been said that the residents of Baghmara have already been rescued.

Following the rising water level in Rapti, Budhi Rapti, Dhungre, and other rivers and streams, Sauraha, a tourism hub in southwest Nepal, is also at a high risk of inundation. Gunraj Thapaliya, General Secretary of Area Hotel Association, Sauraha, said, "All the hotels have started shifting the furniture and other gears of the ground floors to the upper floors."

"Currently, we are trying our best to prevent damage of properties by opting for high alertness. Also, a team of Nepali Army is ready with a rescue boat just in case the area gets inundated," said Thapaliya. There are 110 hotels in Sauraha.

Meanwhile, Megauli, Jagatpur, and Patihani located near the Rapti River and Narayangadh, Gaindakot, Shivaghat at Narayani River Bank are also at high risk of being engulfed in flood.

Chitwan has been receiving torrential rainfall for the last three days. SP Indra Rana of Ratnanagar Area Police Office said, "Residents of squatter settlement in Baghmara, Ratnanagar-8, which has submerged in flood, have been rescued."

Similarly, locals of Ratnanagar-18 have rescued a woman and a scooter swept away by Kayar stream.

Almost all rivers of eastern Chitwan have swollen currently. The locals informed that flooding over the Thanda stream had obstructed the East-West Highway. Settlements at Ratnanagar and Khairani among others are also at a high risk of flood as the water level in Kayar and Ladari streams increases.

Moreover, a vegetable market at Bharatpur Metropolitan City-2 has also submerged in the floodwater of the Pungi stream.