Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has declared seven wards in Kanchanpur district as disaster-crisis areas due to flood risks posed by the Mahakali River.
A cabinet meeting held on Wednesday designated Wards 11, 12 and 13 of Bhimdatta Municipality and Wards 3, 8, 9 and 10 of Dodhara Chandani Municipality as crisis zones for the next three months, according to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
The Mahakali River, which flows through Kanchanpur, has historically caused significant flooding during the monsoon season, inundating settlements and displacing hundreds of families. In 2024, floods displaced over 900 families. Settlements like Kutiyakabhar and Shanti Tole in Dodhara Chandani were severely affected.
The government’s decision aims to address the recurring threat of monsoon-induced floods and potential riverbank erosion, which have damaged homes, farmland, and infrastructure. The declaration will enable local authorities to implement emergency measures, including early warning systems, evacuation plans and relief distribution, to mitigate risks during the upcoming monsoon season.
