With water level in the Koshi River crossing the danger level on Friday morning, threat of a repeat of the 2008 floods that caused havoc in eastern Nepal and Bihar looms large. Utpal Parashar reports.
With water level in the Koshi River crossing the danger level on Friday morning, threat of a repeat of the 2008 floods that caused havoc in eastern Nepal and Bihar looms large.
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Water level was recorded at 151,700 cusec at 6:15 am, higher than the danger level of 150,000, leading officials at the Koshi barrage control room to switch on the red light and raise red flag indicating danger.
Twenty of the 55 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened to allow flow of water. Incessant rains in the eastern parts of Nepal have led to rise in Koshi’s water level early this monsoon.
Water level on the river had reached 167,000 cusec in August 18, 2008 leading to breaking of embankments and heavy flooding in many villages of eastern Nepal and neighbouring Bihar in India.
With water level continuously rising, experts say that the water could breach newly constructed embankment causing repeat of the devastation witnessed three years ago.
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Although the Kosi Barrage was capable of withstanding 900,000 cusecs of water when constructed five decades back, erosion of its eastern embankments over the years has weakened it considerably.
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Although the Kosi Barrage was capable of withstanding 900,000 cusecs of water when constructed five decades back, erosion of its eastern embankments over the years has weakened it considerably.
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The 2008 floods was an indicator that damage could take place even when the water level was much lower. The highest water level was recorded in 1954 when it had reached 850,000 cusec.
On Thursday, a high-level team headed by home secretary Lilamani Poudel inspected the Kosi Barrage and directed local officials to coordinate with Indian officials and initiate control measures at the earliest.
“The local administration will hold a meeting with Indian authorities on Saturday. If the process is not started immediately, we will hold a government-level meeting with India very soon,” local media quoted Poudel.
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Flashfloods and landslips caused by heavy rainfall have damaged several roads and obstructed regular movement of vehicles on many important highways like East-West and Prithvi.
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.
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