E-Paper
India, Nepal to join hands to prevent Kosi repeat
India and Nepal decide to take preventive measures for the protection of barrages on the Gandak and other rivers, reports Tushar Srivastava.
India and Nepal have decided to take preventive measures for the protection of barrages on the Gandak and other rivers under the existing bilateral arrangements in the wake of the Kosi disaster.
The matter had come up for discussion during the ongoing visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda, who was in Bangalore on Wednesday.
“(The) two sides also discussed the problem of inundation in the border areas and agreed to take up necessary work for its effective prevention on the basis of bilateral consultation,” a joint statement said.
The two countries expressed concern over the large-scale damage caused by the breach of embankment by the river in the Kosi barrage area and decided to launch relief and rehabilitation measures for the victims and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already announced an assistance of Rs 20 crore as immediate flood relief to the people in Nepal. India will also rebuild segments of the east-west highway, damaged in the recent floods.
India has decided to remove ban on export of rice, wheat, maize, sugar and sucrose on quantities agreed with Nepal, which is facing shortage of essential commodities.
