Flood Forecasting Division issues alert: Rivers across Nepal at high risk amid heavy rainfall

KATHMANDU: The Flood Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a special bulletin listing rivers at medium, high, and very high risk of flooding.

The division has stated that over the next three days, weather conditions will worsen with heavy to very heavy rainfall in various areas, leading to a rise in water levels in several rivers.

On Sept 27, the Narayani River is expected to be at high risk, with the risk increasing to very high on Sept 28. The Kankai River is predicted to be at high risk on Sept 27 and at medium risk at other times.

The Kamala River will be at high risk on Sept 27 and medium risk on Sept 28. Similarly, the Bagmati River at Pandhera Dobhan will face high risk on Sept 27 and very high risk on Sept 28, according to the division.

In Rajaiya, the eastern Rapti River will be at medium risk on Sept 27 and high risk on Sept 28. The western Rapti River in Kusum is expected to have a medium risk on Sept 27, escalating to very high risk on Sept 28.

The Babai River will be at medium risk on Sept 27 and very high risk on Sept 28.

The division has warned that water levels in these high- and medium-risk rivers and their tributaries may approach or even surpass danger levels in some areas. Residents in riverbank areas have been urged to exercise caution over the next three days. The weather system is expected to weaken after Sept 30.

Spokesperson of the Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Dijan Bhattarai, has urged residents living near rivers, in flood-prone areas, and in landslide-prone regions to take special precautions.

He also informed that, based on the decision of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Command Post, night bus services have been suspended in 56 high-risk districts.