Hundreds of locals at Haripur, Sripur, Laukahi and western Kushaha villages in Sunsari district have fled their homes after the swollen Saptakoshi River damaged an embankment in western Kushaha village and began inundating settlements Monday. As of Monday evening, over 25,000 locals left their homes for Inaruwa, Saptari and neighboring Indian villages. Long caravans of people were seen setting out to safer grounds with their belongings on rickshaws, tractors, bicycles and other conveyances. After the river began eroding the embankment, the authorities had issued warnings and appealed to the locals to move to safer places Sunday night itself. This led to an exodus out of the villages from midnight. The buffer zone of the Koshi Wildlife Reserve is among the most affected by the erosion. One Birendra Sah informed that the floods also started to damage the East-West Highway. Local roads in the villages turned into canals and many had to swim to safety in higher areas. "I don't know where my neighbors and relatives went," gasped Ram Ekbal Yadav of Kushaha. "I am totally confused what to do next." "I've never seen such a disaster in my life," said Gori Khatawe, 76, who appeared quite perturbed. Chief District Officer Durga Bhandari said the affected locals were evacuated to schools and government establishments. Although 40 out of the total of 56 sluicegates at Saptakoshi barrage were opened, this failed to make any immediate difference. As an immediate solution, sacks filled with stones and sand were dropped at the affected points. A team of technicians from India has also arrived here to look at the situation. Technicians fear that if the erosion continues, the river might change its course toward the human settlements, something that would surely bring havoc. According to the records, the flow of the river is 168,842 cusecs, which however is lower than the danger level. The Kushaha embankment was built with the assistance of the Indian government. Local Development Officer Guru Prasad Subedi admitted more sand was used in the embankment construction, which resulted in such rapid erosion. When contacted, district magistrate of Supaul in India, Mohammad Sheriff Alam, said they too have been alerted as damage to the embankment would affect villages in India also.