The Koshi breached its embankment at West Kushaha on August 18 last year and flowed eastward through settlements in Sunsari district in Nepal. The rampaging Koshi subsequently displaced thousands of people in Nepal and millions in Bihar state of India. [break]
"All the over 12,000 cusecs of water has been diverted back to the previous course through the Koshi Barrage," Rameshwor Prasad Khadga, eastern divisional chief of the Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention told myrepublica.com.
The river was re-diverted toward the barrage after restoring an about 2,000-meter long embankment that was damaged in August.
The Indian government assigned an Indian construction company to restore the damaged embankment and re-route the river to its old course. Only about 10 percent of the water flowed through the Koshi Barrage following the breach while over 90 percent veered eastward through settlements in the border areas.
The construction company was originally expected to divert the river back by December 15 but the deadline was twice extended after contractors failed to complete the work on time.
As per the Koshi Agreement, the entire responsibility for maintenance and operation of the Koshi embankment and barrage lies with India.
Over 20,000 people displaced as Koshi River returns to its old...