Nepal and India on Saturday agreed to carry out 'joint surveys' and take necessary steps to mitigate the inundation problems, which lead to devastating floods on both sides of the border.
During the 13th meeting of the Nepal-India Standing Committee on Inundation Problems (SCIP), India raised the issue of floods in its areas due to the anti-erosion works carried out by Nepal in Chandani-Dodhara area, Shital Babu Regmee, Director General, Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention who led the Nepalese side, said.
"The discussions were very fruitful and there was no difference of opinion in any issue," C B Vashista, Chairman of Ganga Flood Control Commission, who headed the Indian delegation, told PTI.
"We have agreed to conduct joint survey wherever required to sort out issues," he added. "Appropriate measures will be taken to mitigate the problem."
The two sides reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken at the previous meetings and agreed to hold meeting of SCIP alternatively in India and Nepal every six month, according to a joint statement issued after conclusion of the meeting today.
During the meeting Nepal highlighted the issue of inundation problem it is facing due to the construction of Mahalisagar bund in India, Regmee said.
Both the countries have agreed to take appropriate measures to sort out these problems, he said.
"We discussed the impact of rivers on both sides of the border from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west and agreed to mitigate the problems through mutual understanding," Regmee said.
The next meeting of the SICP will be held in Patna in April 2005.
Earlier, Indian delegation led by Vashista called on Nepalese Minister of State for Water Resources Thakur Prasad Sharma and Water Resources Secretary Mahendra Nath Aryal.