The Embassy has seen news-reports in the media today about the breach in the Saptkoshi embankment, severely affecting thousands of people in Nepal and India. The Indian technical team has been in Nepal for last several days to reinforce and strengthen the spurs and the embankment on the Saptkoshi river in consultation with the local administration. However, despite repeated requests and pleas by the technical team for urgent local support in view of the gravity of the situation, the support from local administration had not been forthcoming. As a result, the work was frequently hindered, disrupted and delayed.

The concerns of the Indian technical team and the gravity of the situation were conveyed by the Embassy to the local administration and central authorities on 17th August and their cooperation and support was sought. At the same time, the Indian technical team was directed to carry out the work on day-and-night basis. The Indian technical team mobilised required resources and has remained in readiness to carry out the required work to strengthen the embankment but it was prevented from reaching the site. As a consequence, thousands of people in Nepal and India have been forced to suffer a calamity that could have been avoided.

The Embassy is in constant touch with the concerned authorities in Nepal and India and has proposed specific action to contain and close the breach in the embankment. While the Indian technical team is ready to undertake protective measures, this will become possible only if it receives necessary cooperation from the Government of Nepal and support from the local people.