All 36 floodgates of Gandak Barrage have been opened after the flow of water increased in Narayani River on Thursday.

The barrage lies in Tribeni along the Nepal-India border point in Nawalparasi (East).

Tara Singh, an official at the barrage, said, “All of the gates were opened after the water level in the river crossed the danger level.”

According to him, the barrage recorded the water flow at 350,000 cusecs per second at 4am on Thursday. “300,000 cusecs of water in the barrage qualifies as a danger mark. That is why all of the doors were opened,” he said. “The level of water in the barrage can rise further as the monsoon is still active. The settlements near the riverbank areas are at risk.”

The District Administration Office has also requested locals to stay on high alert after the level of water increased in the river. 

Chief District Officer Sagarmani Pathak said, “Locals of Susta, Sarawal, Pratappur and Palhinandan are at risk. We have kept security personnel on standby.”

Meanwhile, settlements in Sarawal, Pratappur and Palhinandan have been waterlogged after continuous rainfall. 

“People living near riverbank areas have moved out from their houses due to the inundation. We have been spending sleepless nights since Wednesday,” said Brijaraj Kusahawa, spokesperson of Gandak River Control Struggle Committee.