Sunsari. The water level in the Saptakoshi river has risen due to incessant rainfall for the past two days. As many as 16 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened with the rise in the water level in the river.

The water level measurement carried out at 8:00 am today showed that 13 gates were opened when the water flow in the barrage was 78,230 cusecs per second. Spokesperson of the District Police Office, Yograj Khatiwada, said that 16 gates were opened after measuring the water flow at 12:00 noon, 128,115 cusecs at 4:00 pm and 134,555 cusecs at 8:00 pm.

All 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage were opened on October 3 after the water level in the river rose sharply. Though the water flow has decreased for some time since then, the water level of the river has started rising again from today evening due to incessant rainfall since Thursday, said Khatiwada.

The District Administration Office has urged the general public to adopt high alertness in view of possible risks from the incessant rainfall. Assistant Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Lokman Shrestha, said the people living near the river banks have been urged not to travel far from their homes at night as there could be risks of flood, landslide, inundation and disruption of transportation.

Similarly, the disaster management committee, security agencies and local levels have been directed to remain prepared for preparedness and response. Assistant CDO Shrestha said the concerned bodies have been requested to keep equipment like dozers and excavators on standby on the risky highways and roads.

Shrestha said although there is no direct risk of inundation at present, the water level is rising due to incessant rainfall, urging the bodies concerned and the people living around Saptakoshi to adopt necessary precaution and not to go to risky areas.