Nepal faces flooding and landslides as Saptakoshi River rises

Heavy monsoon rains and western disturbances have triggered significant flooding and landslides across Nepal, particularly in Koshi and Bagmati provinces. In Koshi Province, the Saptakoshi River's water flow has risen sharply, reaching approximately 230,000 cusecs. Consequently, authorities have opened up to 30 gates of the Koshi Barrage to manage the surge. While red warning lights have been activated to alert the public, officials report that no major casualties or catastrophic structural failures have occurred in the province as of the latest reports.

The weather has caused widespread disruption to the country's transportation network. Landslides have blocked several major highways, including sections of the Prithvi, BP, and Arniko highways, as well as various rural roads in hilly districts. In response to the increased risk of landslides and flooding, local administrations have imposed restrictions on nighttime vehicle movement in several districts, including Solukhumbu, Bhojpur, and Kavre.

Authorities have issued high-alert warnings for residents living near riverbanks and on steep slopes, forecasting continued heavy to very heavy rainfall. Emergency hotlines have been established to assist citizens in the event of a disaster.