KATHMANDU: The water level in the Babai River has crossed the danger threshold, raising serious concerns of flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in Bardiya and Dang districts.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the river’s water level reached 7.1 meters on Tuesday morning. The department designates 5.5 meters as the warning level and 6.8 meters as the danger level for the Babai River.
With the river now above the danger mark, the department has issued an urgent alert, calling on local authorities and the public to remain vigilant. “We’ve communicated flood alerts through local administrations and disaster risk management mechanisms,” said Binod Parajuli, a flood expert at the department. “The Mahakali River is also nearing the danger level,” he added.
The department further reported that water levels in small rivers flowing through Kavrepalanchok, Makwanpur, Dang, Banke, Chitwan, Kailali, Kanchanpur, and surrounding areas are rising rapidly, posing a high risk of flash floods.
As of Tuesday morning, the Karnali and Mahakali rivers are near warning levels, while major rivers like the Koshi, Narayani, Kamala, Bagmati, Eastern Rapti, Western Rapti, Babai, and Kankai remain below the alert threshold.
However, rising water levels have also been forecast in small rivers across a wide swath of districts—including Sankhuwasabha, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Sindhuli, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Kathmandu Valley, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Rupandehi, both Nawalparasi districts, Kapilvastu, Myagdi, Pyuthan, Arghakhanchi, Jajarkot, Dolpa, Rukum West, Dailekh, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Doti, Baitadi, and Darchula.
In addition, moderate flood risk has been predicted in smaller rivers in eastern and mid-hill districts including Ilam, Jhapa, Taplejung, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, as well as Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Syangja, Tanahun, Parbat, Gulmi, Jumla, Mugu, Humla, and Bajura.
The department has advised people living in flood-prone areas to stay alert and take necessary precautions.
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