The political blame game has begun with the opposition Sunday holding the chief minister responsible.

Till Friday, the district administration and engineers had claimed that there was no threat to the embankment from the rising water level in the Bagmati river. According to official sources, the embankment was repaired and strengthened last year.

However, villagers claim they had informed officials about a six-inch wide hole in the embankment, but no move was initiated to repair it. The chief minister has ordered a probe and promised stern action against erring officials.