Kathmandu: Heavy rains and landslides have created an outcry in Nepal. At least 11 people have died due to torrential rains and landslides in the last 36 hours. While 8 people are still missing. Due to heavy rains, other rivers including Bagmati are in full spate. Due to heavy rains since last 2 days, landslides and floods are wreaking havoc here. Officials said on Sunday that it was blocking major highways and roads.
Nepal police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki said eight people were missing, either swept away by floods or buried in landslides. While 12 others were injured and are being treated in hospitals.
“Rescue workers are trying to clear debris and reopen roads after landslides,” Karki told Reuters. He said heavy equipment was being used to remove the debris. The Koshi River in southeastern Nepal is flowing above danger level, a district official said. This river causes deadly floods in the eastern Indian state of Bihar every year.
People in fear of Kosi’s wrath
“The flow of the Kosi is rising and we have asked residents to remain alert about possible flooding,” Bed Raj Phuyal, a senior official in Sunsari district, told Reuters. At 09.00 am (03:15 GMT) the water flow in the Kosi river was 369,000 cusecs per second, more than double its normal flow of 150,000 cusecs. Let us tell you that cusec is a measure of water flow and one cusec is equal to one cubic foot per second.
All the gates of the barrage were opened to drain the water.
Officials said that all 56 sluice gates of Kosi Barrage have been opened to release water, whereas in normal circumstances these gates would be around 10-12.
Officials said the flow of Narayani, Rapti and Mahakali rivers in the west is also increasing. In Kathmandu, surrounded by hilly terrain, several rivers overflowed their banks, flooding roads and inundating many homes. Local media reported seeing people wading through waist-deep water or residents using buckets to evacuate their homes.