Kathmandu, July 7

Following continuous downpour since yesterday, Flood Forecasting Section of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a flood alert, specifically in major river basins and their tributaries inside Kathmandu valley. FFS has also predicted continuous rainfall for the next two days.

According to a flood forecast bulletin issued by the FFS, water level is expected to rise in major river basins of Bagmati River. It is likely that water level will rise above ‘alert level’ this evening. It also warned that flash floods in rivulets around Chure area was likely.

A hydrologist at FFS said water level of four major river basins inside Kathmandu valley Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manohara and Nakkhu rivers will rise above the alert level. Officials have urged people to stay alert as waste accumulated in the rivers during dry season could cause flooding.

“People need remain on high alert during early monsoon in urban areas like Kathmandu valley where waste dumped into the rivers might block their free flow triggering floods,” said Binod Parajuli, a hydrologist.

Kathmandu Valley in the last 24 hours experienced approximately 72 millimetres of rainfall. According to FFS, equal amount of rainfall is expected in the next 48 hours.

Though the amount of rain may not contribute to substantial increase of water level in the rivers, their blockage by waste products might lead to flooding, according to Hydrologist Parajuli.

The flood alert also stated that yesterday’s downpour had inundated valley’s northwestern area, Nepal Taar and Dharmasthali, due to flash floods in two local rivulets following six hours of incessant rainfall. Locals residing around Jarankhu said  the river corridors had been flooded.

There are four river flood forecasting stations for four major rivers, and 10 rain gauges in Kathmandu valley.