ITAHARI, August 2: The water level in the Saptakoshi River is constantly increasing. According to the measurement at 1 pm on Tuesday, the flow of water has reached 237,445 cusec.
According to the Koshi barrage control room, 34 of the 56 gates have now been opened. The flow of water in the Koshi River has been continuously increasing for the last two days. With the increase in the water level, land erosion has also started in different places of the Baraha area.
Water level continuously rising in Saptakoshi River
At present, with the increase in water level, a red light has been lit at the Koshi Barrage as a sign of danger. When the flow of water in Koshi Barrage reaches over 150,000 cusecs, a red light is lit toward the west to alert the general public. On reaching 200,000 cusecs, another red light is lit toward the east. Red lights have also been lit in the middle of the water flow with 300,000 cusecs.
It is mentioned that the Koshi Barrage will have a water carrying capacity of 950,000 cusecs. However, due to the accumulation of sand in the upper part of the barrage and the water flow in recent years is less than 4,00,000, it is not possible to make any estimates.
On August 18, 2008, the Saptakosi River broke the eastern embankment. At that time, 7,563 families were displaced when four settlements of Koshi Rural Municipality were submerged.
