Flood threat not as high as projected: DoHM

KATHMANDU:- The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has stated that there is no flood threat as predicted earlier.

However, the risk of flash floods remains in streams in various districts of the country today and tomorrow, according to a special weather bulletin issued by the Department.

The special weather bulletin on Saturday had predicted that one or two places in the hills and Tarai of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces may receive very heavy rainfall, which may increase the risk of floods, landslides and inundation. On the same basis, a special bulletin was issued, placing the districts of Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Khotang, Dhankuta, Sindhuli, Lalitpur, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski, Tanahun, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi and Syangja at high risk.

DoHM flood expert Sauharda Joshi said that the actual rainfall forecast did not match with the prediction of floods. “Although there was a possibility of very heavy rainfall, heavy rainfall occurred only in one or two places. The rainfall was not concentrated in one area but was scattered, so there was no major flood risk as we had projected,” he said, “but there is still a risk of flash floods in some small rivers today and tomorrow.”

According to him, as per this morning’s measurements, the flow of the Koshi, Narayani, Bagmati, Karnali, Mahakali and their tributaries, as well as the Kankai, Kamala, Babai, East Rapti and West Rapti rivers is below the alert level.

However, the department has urged people to be vigilant in the coastal areas in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Kaski, Tanahun, Syangja, Parbat, Baglung, Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Nawalparasi (East and West), Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Doti, Dadeldhura, Kailali and Kanchanpur and surrounding districts.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has strengthened night-time traffic restrictions and other preparedness activities in high-risk districts.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local levels, and volunteers have been put on standby to respond to potential disasters.(RSS)