Kathmandu- Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division has warned of possible flooding in rivers and streams across 23 districts on Sunday urging residents living in vulnerable riverbank areas to remain alert as heavy rainfall continues across much of the country.
In its latest flood forecast the division issued an orange alert for Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kavrepalanchok indicating a high risk of flooding as river water levels are expected to exceed the alert threshold.
The division also forecast a significant rise in water levels and a moderate risk of flash floods in smaller rivers flowing through Panchthar, Taplejung, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Udayapur, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, Makwanpur and Rautahat as well as surrounding areas. Residents in riverbank settlements have been advised to exercise caution.
The Flood Forecasting Division said a green alert indicates low flood risk with river levels below the warning threshold while a yellow alert signals a moderate risk as water levels approach the alert mark. An orange alert indicates river levels are expected to exceed the warning threshold while a red alert signifies that water levels have crossed the danger mark posing a high flood risk.
The Meteorological Forecasting Division has also forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across many areas of Madhesh Province and the Tarai regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces with scattered rainfall expected in parts of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim.
The division warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely on Sunday and Monday particularly in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and parts of the adjoining Tarai increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides, debris flow and soil erosion.
