Rain expected to intensify challenges in Bhotekoshi flood-affected areas

Moderate rainfall is expected in the Bhotekoshi flood-affected areas of northern Nepal from this afternoon, raising concerns over rescue operations and the risk of further flooding, officials said.

Meteorologist Rojan Lamichhane of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said moderate rain is likely in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding areas affected by the Bhotekoshi floods. The department recorded the highest rainfall in the past 12 hours at its weather station in Nosyampati, Sindhupalchok, where 60.2 millimetres of rain was measured.

The department said most parts of Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces received moderate rainfall, while some areas of Koshi, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces recorded light to moderate rain.

Weather conditions are expected to remain generally cloudy across the country today. Moderate rain, thunderstorms and snowfall are possible in several mountainous and hilly areas, with some parts of the southern plains also likely to receive thunderstorms and moderate rain.

Heavy rainfall is possible at isolated locations in the mountainous and hilly areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, the mountainous areas of Koshi, and parts of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. Similar weather is expected tonight, with heavy rain possible at a few locations in the mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.

Rescue operations hampered

Dr Dharmaraj Upreti, executive chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said continued rainfall has made search and rescue operations in the Bhotekoshi flood-affected area more difficult.

Water accumulated inside a tunnel overnight, submerging a pump being used to drain it. Security personnel have been working to retrieve the pump and resume pumping operations. Search efforts had already begun in the morning, Upreti said.

The weather department has warned that rainfall could continue for another three days, potentially creating additional difficulties for search, rescue and disaster-management efforts.

High risk of sudden flooding

The Flood Forecasting Division under the Water Resources and Irrigation Research Centre has warned of rising water levels and a high possibility of sudden flooding in the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and other nearby rivers.

Flood expert Saraswati Bista urged residents living along riverbanks in Rasuwa and Nuwakot to remain on high alert. She said a lake has formed near the Nepal-China border and could breach at any time. With additional rainfall expected, the two districts face a particularly high flood risk today and tomorrow, she said.

The division has also forecast rising water levels in rivers and streams across a wide area, including parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. 

Water levels are expected to rise in rivers and streams across Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Dhading, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun, Lamjung, Manang, Kaski, Syangja, Parbat, Myagdi, Baglung, East Rukum, West Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Surkhet, Jajarkot, Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur.

Authorities have urged people living near rivers and streams, as well as those travelling along river corridors, to remain vigilant because smaller rivers and streams are also at risk of sudden flooding.