KATHMANDU, July 15: The Flood Forecasting Section of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) issued a flood alert in settlements around the Koshi River basin on Saturday as the water level of the river reached near warning mark. Mass SMSs were sent to the locals via Ncell and NTC telecommunication networks.

The alerts reached the residents of Barahachhetra Municipality and Koshi Rural Municipality of Sunsari district; Hanuman Nagar Municipality of Saptari district and the settlements around Triyuga River in Udayapur district, according to hydrologist Binod Pariyar of the DHM.

However, there is no imminent danger of floods, he added. “We send alerts in three cases – when the water level is nearing the warning point, when the water level crosses the warning point and when it reaches critical point. We just sent the first level of alert in the afternoon.”

He further added that small and medium rivers flowing through the Chure range have little chances of causing floods but there is no immediate risk from the major rivers. 

As of now, the Koshi River is nearest to the warning level among the four river basins of the country, according to the DHM. While the water level is gradually rising in all major rivers, none of them is likely to develop risk of floods within the next three days, informed hydrologist Sunil Pokharel.

“Narayani and Bagmati among other rivers are also recording increase in water levels. But it is much below danger level, so we don’t have to worry for now,” he added.

Monsoon reaches its peak during July and August. The Meteorology Forecasting Division has forecast only light to moderate rainfalls in the next three days. On Sunday night, however, it warned that a few places in the far western region could receive heavy rainfall. 
 

 
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