Water flow in Saptakoshi River reaches highest level in 56 years

KATHMANDU: The water flow in the Saptakoshi River has reached its highest level in 56 years.

According to measurements taken at 3 AM today, the water flow through the Koshi Barrage was recorded at 643,540 cusecs per second, as reported by the Koshi Barrage Control Room.

Previously, the highest water flow recorded through the Koshi Barrage was on Oct 5, 1968, when it measured 788,200 cusecs per second.

On Saturday evening at 10:25 PM, the water flow in the Saptakoshi River was measured at 620,000 cusecs per second.

According to the Koshi Barrage Control Room, by 11 PM last night, the water level had already risen 11.26 meters above the danger level and was expected to rise further.

People have been urged to remain cautious.

As the water flow continues to increase, all 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened.

Since the water level in the Saptakoshi River is above the danger mark and is still rising, the Saptakoshi Chatara Water Measurement Center has issued a warning.

It has advised people in flood-prone areas of Udayapur, Sunsari, and Saptari, as well as those living in low-lying areas prone to inundation, to move to safer locations and stay alert.

Due to the continuous rise in water flow, the movement of people and vehicles across the Koshi Barrage has been suspended until further notice, according to Ram Chandra Tiwari, the Chief District Officer of Sunsari.

On Saturday morning at 6 AM, the Koshi Barrage Control Room recorded the water flow at 336,010 cusecs per second.

By 8 PM that evening, it had increased to 418,285 cusecs per second.

At midnight, the flow rose to 507,690 cusecs per second, and by 2 AM today, it reached 632,285 cusecs per second.