Authorities in Rautahat have urged residents living along the Bagmati river to remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise at the Kulekhani reservoir in Makwanpur district.

There is a risk of a sudden increase in water flow in the Bagmati if the rising reservoir level forces authorities to open the main dam gates. The district administration has asked people living along the riverbanks to move to safer locations.

The Kulekhani-I Hydropower Project of the Nepal Electricity Authority issued its first warning on Saturday, citing rising water levels in the reservoir.

According to Hemraj Phuyal, assistant chief district officer of Rautahat, the water level at the Kulekhani (Indrasarovar) reservoir had reached 1,528.15 metres above sea level by Saturday afternoon. It was projected to rise to 1,529 metres by the evening.

The Kulekhani-I project has said it will sound the first warning siren and send SMS alerts once the water level reaches 1,528.50 metres, Phuyal said.

“As the water level continues to rise, the authorities may have to open the main dam gates. We have been informed that this could trigger a sudden increase in water flow downstream, particularly along the Sisneri Khola and the Bagmati River,” he said. “We have asked residents living along the riverbanks and in other vulnerable areas to move to safer places immediately.”

The administration has also urged people to avoid travelling at night along the Sisneri Khola and Bagmati river corridors. Residents have been warned against going near the river channels to fish, collect firewood, graze livestock or engage in other activities.

The warnings come after three days of continuous rainfall triggered by the impact of Cyclone Arnab. Authorities were informed that the rising water level at the Kulekhani hydropower reservoir had crossed the danger threshold.

The Makwanpur District Administration Office has also said preparations are under way to open the reservoir's outlet gates as water levels continue to rise.

Makwanpur chief district officer Laxmi Prasad Poudel said releasing water from Kulekhani could increase the flow and water level of the Bagmati River, raising the risk for settlements along its banks in Rautahat.

“We have urged residents living along the river to remain cautious, keeping in mind the possibility of flooding and inundation,” he said. “They have been advised to stay away from the river and be ready to move to safer areas if conditions deteriorate.”