Nepal

The water levels in the Narayani and Rapti rivers have crossed the danger mark following the incessant rain. 

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Flood Information Centre, the Narayani River has reached 10.61 metres in Narayangadh. The river is considered to have crossed the danger mark when the water level reaches 9.8 metres in the area. 

Similarly, the river’s water level in the Devghat area has reached 7.4 metres – the danger mark in the area is 7.3 metres. 

The Chitwan District Administration has issued a public notice, saying that the water level in the Narayani River has reached the highest level so far this year. The water level in the river is likely to increase further as it has been raining continuously.

The surging Narayani has put places close to the river in west Chitwan at risk of flooding. The authorities have notified the people living in settlements close to the river in Chitwan and Nawalparasi to remain on high alert and move to safer places.

The District Administration Office, Chitwan has instructed all the security agencies in the district to be on alert in view of the possibility of any flood-induced disaster.

Meanwhile, 22 of the 36 sluice gates of the Gandak Barrage on the Narayani River have been opened to minimise the flooding risk posed by the swollen river, the Area Police Office, Triveni said.

Warning over rising water level in Rapti 

Further west, the Rapti River is also flowing above the danger mark, following incessant rainfall since Tuesday night. 

At Kusum, the water level in the swollen river has crossed 6.32 metres. The river is considered to have reached the danger mark when the water level reaches 5.40 metres. 

The water level in the Rapti River was measured at 6.32 metres at 6.30 am on Thursday, the measurement centre at Banke said. Rupan Gyawali, the information officer at the District Emergency Operations Centre, has warned that the water level will likely increase further as it has been raining continuously.  

Phattepur, Gangapur, Holiya, Betahani, and Kamdi Gaun, among other downstream places of the Rapti River, are at high risk of flooding. 

In a notice issued on Wednesday evening, the District Disaster Management Committee has urged people in settlements near the river to take precautions. 

Various places in Banke district have been inundated due to the incessant rainfall. As a result, many areas in Nepalgunj, Kohalpur, and Khajura Bazar are waterlogged, causing inconvenience to the people.

With RSS inputs