KATHMANDU, JUNE 17

About a week after the onset of the monsoon, incessant rains and increased water levels in various rivers have started to create havoc, increasing fear of disasters and leaving many aghast.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, huge floods in Melamchi killed at least ten people while displacing over 1,000 families. Many were swept away and went missing as thick layer of muddy flood washed their villages.

Keeping in mind the potential threats invited by aggressive weather conditions, the Flood Forecasting Division of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has been constantly providing updates on the changing water levels of various rivers as well as issuing alerts related to possible disasters.

In the same regard, the division shared late on Wednesday that the station at Nakote of Melamchi measured a sudden decline of water level from 4.7 m to 3 m on Tuesday at around 6:00 pm. Thenafter, between 6:45 pm and 7:00 pm, the measurement suddenly reached 6 m, after which the data analysis was halted.

The river was blocked for some time causing sudden flood afterwards, the division clarified.

On Thursday, at 00.30 am, the Division informed that the station at Dolalghat for Sunkoshi River has crossed the warning level and water level is steadily rising. At 11:40 am today, the water level was measured at 5.14 m.

Similarly, two other warning signs have been issued for Raughat Khola of Myagdi district with water level at 5.01 m and Badigad at Rudrabeni of Gulmi district at 3.56 m, measured at 11:40 am today.

According to the flood bulletin released today, few small tributaries of Koshi, Narayani, Karnali and Mahakali Rivers may see flash floods due to heavy rainfall and increased water levels.

Similarly, rivulets of Rapti West, Tinau, Babai may reach warning level on Thursday.

There will be significant rise in water levels and flash floods in small tributaries of rivers flowing through Dolakha, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Dhading, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Gorkha, Manang, Lamjung, Kaski, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Tanahu, Syangja, Pyuthan, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Rukum, Surkhet, Salyan, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Humla, Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula and their surrounding areas.

The division has, as such, alerted all residing around these high risk areas to remain vigilant and take adequate precautions while time still remains.