Kathmandu, July 16: All the gates of Gandak Barrage have been opened after the water level in Narayani River started rising due to continuous rains.

Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi East Nawalpur Manmaya Pangeni informed that all the 36 gates of Gandak Barrage have been opened keeping in mind the possible danger in the area after the river crossed the warning level at Devghat Water Measurement Center on Tuesday.

Two lakh cusecs of water was measured at the opening of the gate at Gandak Barrage. Pangeni said that all the gates have been opened in coordination with the Indian side keeping in mind the damage caused by the continuous flow of water in the Narayani River since Monday.

In Gandak Barrage, 250,000 cusecs of water is considered as warning level and 300,000 cusecs of water is considered as danger level. He said that all the doors were opened with the consent of both the parties before the water level crossed the warning level.

Although the capacity of Gandak Barrage at the time of construction was seven lakh cusecs per second, it is now estimated to carry only four to five lakh cusecs per second. The District Administration Office, Nawalparasi East, has urged the locals of Gandak Command to be vigilant after the rising water level in the river.

People’s lives across the country, including Nawalpur, have been affected due to incessant rains. Though no untoward incident has taken place in Nawalpur so far, the administration has requested the locals of the riverine area to remain vigilant. There is a risk of landslides in the hilly areas of Nawalpur and floods in the inner Madhes and inundation in the lower areas.

There is a risk in Nawalpur’s Giruwari, Arun Khola, Binai, Kerunge, Lokaha, Baulah, Jharhi, Jai Shree and other rivers due to rising water level. The administration has requested to be vigilant as there is a danger of flood and inundation including erosion of land in the area.

Annual floods and inundation have caused severe damage in various places of Madhyabindu Municipality, Kerung Area of ​​Kawasoti Municipality and Narayani Coastal Area, Razahar, Piprehani, Gaindakot, Triveni and other areas.

Chief District Officer Pangeni said that the District Disaster Management Committee is preparing to assess the impact of the monsoon this year and minimize the damage. He said that all the gates have been opened after the water level in Narayani River started rising under the same scheme.

Last year, the Narayani River had cut off the settlement area in the Ratanpur area of ​​Madhyabindu Municipality-3. Similarly, it was estimated that the river bank area of ​​Madhyabindu Municipality would be severely damaged if water infiltrated from the erosion area. Pangeni said that the Disaster Management Committee has been alerted to reduce the damage and risk caused by not paying attention to timely management in the past.