All 56 sluice gates of Koshi Barrage opened, authorities urge caution
Following continuous rainfall, the water level of the Saptakoshi River has risen significantly today. Considering the possible risk, all 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened now.
As per the water level measurement recorded at 8 am today, when the water flow at the Koshi Barrage reached 330,060 cubic meters per second, 50 gates were already opened.
At 8:15 am, with the water flow exceeding 335,360 cubic meters per second, all 56 gates were subsequently opened, said Dharmaendra Kumar Mishra, Chief District Officer of Sunsari.
Continuous monitoring of the river's water level is currently in progress.
He shared that due to the ongoing rise in water levels, a red light has been activated at the Koshi Barrage as a warning signal, and red flags have been installed as a signal of risk.
The Saptakoshi Water Measurement Control Room has indicated that the water level has surpassed the risk level.
Given the heightened risk of flooding in certain areas of Udayapur and Sunsari, Chief District Officer Mishra has advised residents living near the river to stay alert.
Floods, landslides claim 18 lives in Ilam
At least 18 persons have died due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in Ilam.
According to Deepak Pokharel, SSP and spokesperson at the Koshi Province Police Office, Biratnagar, five persons have died in Manebhangyang, Suryadaya Municipality-1, three in Patigaun, Mangsebung Rural Municipality-1, one in Dhare and two in Dhusune of Deumai Municipality-5.
Similarly, a person died in Ratamate, Phakphokathum Rural Municipality-4 and six in Ghosgaun, Ilam Municipality-5, police said.
SSP Pokharel said that Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel have been deployed in the flood and landslide affected areas.
The administration has been preparing to send relief materials to the affected areas.
Eight major rivers cross danger mark
Eight major rivers in the country have crossed the danger mark following incessant rainfall.
As per the latest update from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology this morning, flood measurement centers for rivers including Bagmati, Sun Koshi, Arun, Tamor, Koshi, Budhikhola–Sunsari, and Biring Khola in Jhapa indicate that water levels have surpassed danger levels.
Binod Parajuli, the head of the department's Flood Forecasting Division, reported that water levels in 12 rivers remain above the alert level. He noted that in Koshi Province, water levels are rising, while in Bagmati, levels are either stable or decreasing.
Furthermore, the Flood Forecasting Division has indicated that the flow in all other rivers and streams in Koshi, Madhes, and Bagmati Provinces is nearing the alert level.
Rainfall intensity in Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces has begun to gradually diminish, whereas moderate to heavy rainfall continues to be reported in various regions of Koshi Province.
The department issued a notice this morning stating that this weather pattern is expected to persist for the next few hours. There is a high flood risk predicted for these rivers until this evening, with a medium risk anticipated to remain until Monday morning.
Light to moderate rainfall likely across the country
At present, due to the impact of moisture-rich winds from the Bay of Bengal (monsoon winds) across the nation, light to moderate rainfall is forecasted throughout the country.
As per the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecast Division, most areas in the Koshi and Madhesh Provinces will experience complete cloud cover, while the Bagmati and Lumbini Provinces will have predominantly cloudy skies, and the remaining regions will see partly cloudy conditions.
The weather bulletin issued by the division indicates that numerous locations in the Koshi and Madhesh Provinces, along with certain hilly and Tarai regions in other provinces, may experience moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Furthermore, heavy rainfall is likely in a few areas of the Koshi and Madhesh Provinces.
According to the Meteorological Department, today, the hilly regions of the country, including Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati Provinces, will generally be overcast, while other areas will remain partly cloudy.
There is a chance of moderate rainfall with thunderstorms in some locations within the hilly areas of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati Provinces, as well as in a few areas of other regions.
The department has also suggested that heavy rainfall may occur in one or two locations in the hilly areas of Koshi Province.
