NAWALPUR: The water level in the Narayani River in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Sustapur) has risen close to the danger level, prompting authorities to step up preparations to move residents in vulnerable areas to safety.
According to the Devghat Hydrometer Center, the water level in the Narayani River reached 8.98 meters at 3 pm on Saturday. The danger level at the center is 9 meters, while 7.3 meters is considered the warning level.
The center said the water level at Devghat continues to rise. The river crossed the warning level on Friday night. As the water flow increases, authorities are working to relocate residents living along the riverbanks to safer areas, said Jagadishwar Upadhyay, chief district officer of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Sustapur).
“We are working to move people at risk of flooding to safer locations and urging people to stay away from riverbanks,” Upadhyay said. He said Gaindakot, Devchuli, Kawasoti and Madhyabindu municipalities, as well as Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality, are at risk of flooding from the Narayani River.
Similarly, Boudikali and Bulingtar rural municipalities are at risk of flooding and landslides from the Kaligandaki River, according to Upadhyay. He said preparations are underway to move affected residents to safer locations.
Security agencies in the district have been placed on high alert for rescue and relief operations in the event of floods and landslides.
“We have made all necessary preparations to minimize the impact of disasters in the district,” Upadhyay said. “Security agencies have been put on alert for rescue and relief operations.”
Meanwhile, all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage, built across the Narayani River at Triveni in Nawalpur, have been opened following the rise in water levels.
According to Senior Deputy Inspector of Police Suresh Pal, chief of the Area Police Office, Triveni, the water flow at the Gandak Barrage has reached 3,400 cusecs, citing information from the Gandak Barrage at Balmiki Nagar.
Pal said the warning level at the barrage is 300,000 cusecs. He said all the gates have remained open since Friday night as the flow of the Narayani River increased. With the river in spate, water flow through both the Nepal and India canals originating from the river has been completely stopped, Pal said.
He added that the water level at the barrage continues to rise, with the upstream level reaching 359.2 feet and the downstream level standing at 357.6 feet. Pal said parts of Susta have been inundated due to the rising water level and that efforts are underway to move flood-affected residents to safer locations.
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