The sluice gates in the Kulekhani I Hydropower project’s reservoir were opened on Saturday, September 28, morning after it was filled with rainwater to its capacity.
A team of technicians from Nepal Army, Armed Police, Nepal Police and the hydropower project opened the gates.
Chief District Officer of Makwanpur Tirtharaj Chiluwal told RSS, the state-owned news agency, that the the gates were opened after the water started flowing above the dam walls. “It was estimated that it would take another day or two for the reservoir to become full, but it happened last night," said CDO Chiluwal.
The water flowing from the dam is likely to affect residents in coastal areas downstream the reservoir, including Bhimphedi Rural Municipality, Indrasarovar Rural Municipality and Bagmati Rural Municipality in Makwanpur and the settlements near Bagmati River in Rautahat and Sarlahi districts.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Friday evening had 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 s aid . “A situation requiring the authorities to open the floodgates may arise for the protection of the dam.”
Adverse weather conditions have affected the lives of people across the country. There have been reports of floods and landslides at many places.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a caution on Wednesday, September 25, for heavy rainfall across the country from Thursday to Sunday.
(With inputs from RSS)
