ITAHARI, Sept. 25: The flow of the Saptakoshi River rose to 185,130 cubic feet per second (cusecs) on Thursday evening after increasing steadily since 9 am, police said.
Sub-Inspector Madan Mainali of the Koshi Barrage Police Office urged residents along the eastern bank to stay safe as the water level rose. According to the barrage control room, 23 of its 56 gates were open.
Water flow in Saptakoshi River recedes
A red warning light has been switched on at the barrage. The light on the western side is used to alert the public when the flow exceeds 150,000 cusecs. Another red light on the eastern side is switched on above 200,000 cusecs, and a third in the centre above 300,000 cusecs.
The barrage was designed to carry 950,000 cusecs of water. However, sand deposited upstream can increase the risk to the embankments. On August 18, 2008, the Saptakoshi breached its eastern embankment when the flow was 168,000 cusecs. Water entered four settlements in Koshi Rural Municipality, displacing 7,563 families.
Although the embankment was later repaired, the earlier breach remains a warning of the damage the river can cause.
