Water level rise forecast in major rivers

Kathmandu, Sept 24: Water level is forecast to rise in the major rivers across the country from today until the next five days. The Hydrology and Water Resources Research Center under the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Flood Forecasting Division, made this estimate.

Flood expert at the Division, Sauharda Joshi, predicted a significant rise in water levels in major rivers like Koshi, Narayani, Karnali, and Mahakali, as well as their tributaries, and urged people to be highly alert.

The special flood forecast bulletin issued by the Division has indicated that there is a possibility of rising water levels in the Koshi, Narayani, Karnali, Mahakali, Kankai, Kamala, Babai, Eastern Rapti, and Western Rapti rivers as well.

According to the forecast, the water levels of rivers like Sapta Koshi, Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Tamakoshi, and Sunkoshi of the Koshi river system are likely to rise significantly in the next five days. The water level of Narayani, Trishuli, Budhigandaki, Marsyangdi, Seti, and Kaligandaki rivers in the Gandaki river system are also expected to rise.

Similarly, it has been reported that the water levels are expected to rise in the Karnali, Bheri, Tila and West Seti, Mahakali, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, East Rapti, Tinau, Banganga, West Rapti, and Babai rivers.

According to the Division, there is a risk of flash floods in some rivers and watersheds. The bulletin mentions that today the water level in small rivers and streams from Taplejung to Kanchanpur will increase significantly, and there is a possibility of sudden floods in some places.

It said there is possibility of an increase in the water flow and level in small rivers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Khotang, Udayapur, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Makawanpur, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha.

Similarly, there is a possibility of increased flow in small rivers in districts like Chitwan, Nawalparasi East and West, Rupandehi, Tanahu, Kaski, Lamjung, Syangja, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Rukum East and West, Rolpa, Salyan, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot, Achham, Doti, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Darchula, and Kanchanpur. Flood expert Joshi urged citizens living in riverbank and risk-prone areas to stay alert. —