KATHMANDU, Sept 28: The reservoir of the Kulekhani Hydropower Station in Makwanpur has filled up due to incessant rainfall.
As the water level in the reservoir began to flow out through the spillway, two gates of the dam were partially opened at 5:45 AM on Saturday.
Home Ministry warns of releasing excess water from Kulekhani Da...
After the water level began to rise, the 60-megawatt power plant has been operated at full capacity continuously since Friday. Despite running the plant at its full capacity, the reservoir reached its storage limit due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area.
The water level in the reservoir has reached 1,530.93 meters above sea level. According to the head of the Kulekhani Hydropower Project, Tara Dutta Bhatta, both the gates of the dam were partially opened after the water level reached 1,530.35 meters.
Bhatta mentioned that there may be a situation where both gates will have to be fully opened due to continuous heavy rainfall along with strong winds in the Kulekhani watershed area.
As the dam gates have been opened, the flow of the Bagmati River, which lies downstream of the reservoir, is set to increase further. The Home Ministry has urged local residents in the surrounding areas to remain safe and exercise necessary caution in a timely manner.
