Three Nepali nationals, who swam across the Mahakali River in their desperate attempt to reach home, have been kept in quarantine.

Kiran Dadal, Gopal Dadal and Prakash Dadal of Kuledi of Alital rural municipality-3 in Dadeldhura had returned home from Pithauragadh of India. They had to return home after contractors stopped them providing work after construction activities came to a halt amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

The India returnees Nepali said they had reached Nepal-India border point and entered homeland by swimming across the Mahakali River due to lockdown.

Chairperson of Atilal rural municipality Bal Bahadur Gurung said the returnees have been kept in quarantine for 14 days. Their health condition is normal, said chief of the Atilal Health Section, Dhan Bahadur Chhetri.