Rapti River crosses danger Level, high alert issued

By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, July 6: A high alert has been issued to villages and settlements around the embankment of Rapti River as the river crosses a danger level triggered by the incessant rainfall for two days. 

Rupan Gyawali, information officer at the District Disaster Management Committee, Banke, said, "The water level in the Rapti River had crossed six metres as per the flood measurement centre in the Kusum area of the river."

He said that the water level in the river crossed the danger level on Saturday noon reaching 6.40 centimetres. Many settlements around the riverbank are now at risk as the water level has continued to swell up. 

Locals in the possible risk areas are requested to be alert and District Disaster Management Committee are directed to remain prepared for disaster response.

According to Gyawali, the water level has increased due to the incessant rainfall in Dang, Rolpa and Pyuthan. The river has been gradually rising since Saturday morning. 

He said that locals around the riverbank areas have been asked to be alert as the water level in the river has reached a dangerous level. 

Similarly, the committee has anticipated that it would take around four to five hours for the flood of the Rapti River to reach the lower embankment area.  

As soon as the water level in Kusum reaches six metres, a siren is ringed around the river area as a sign of danger. When the water level hits seven meters then dozens of settlement around the riverbank gets submerged in water. 

According to the Chief District Officer of Banke Khagendra Prasad Rijal, high alert has been issued in the areas across the Rapti River after the water level increased to 6.40 metres."

He informed that the locals in the risk areas were requested to shift to upper areas and all three authorities of the national security were requested to remain prepared for disaster response.