Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Friday, September 27, evening issued a flood warning to people living in coastal areas downstream the Kulekhani reservoir, urging them to stay on high alert.
“The water level in the reservoir of the Kulekhani Hydropower Project at Indra Sarovar Rural Municipality of Makawanpur district has risen significantly following the continuous downpour which can fill the dam in a few hours,” the notice says . “A situation requiring the authorities to open the floodgates may arise for the protection of the dam.”
In that case, coastal areas downstream the reservoir, including the settlements near Bagmati River in Rautahat and Sarlahi districts can be hit by floods.
The notice also urged security personnel and volunteers in the area to remain on high alert.
According to the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dipak Khadka the water level in the Kulekhani reservoir reached 1,528 metres, of the full capacity of 1,530 metres, at 9:30 PM.
“Many hydropower projects have suffered damage due to increased water flow caused by continuous rainfall,” wrote Khadka on Social Media Platform LinkedIn . “The Upper Tamakoshi project has experienced a water flow of about 350 cubic metres per second, causing the power plant to shut down.”
Adverse weather conditions affected the lives of people across the country. Many domestic flights were either delayed or cancelled during the day.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a caution on Wednesday, September 25, for heavy rainfall across the country from Thursday to Sunday.
