KATHMANDU, 30 October (H.S.): Heavy and continuous rainfall triggered by Cyclone ‘Montha’ has impacted most parts of Nepal, including the capital city of Kathmandu, since Wednesday night. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a high alert, warning of rising water levels and a significant risk of flooding in the country’s major river systems.

According to the department, water levels in rivers across the Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces are expected to cross the danger mark today. The cyclone’s effects are forecast to persist until Saturday, and the government has urged residents living along riverbanks to remain vigilant.

High-Risk Areas

The weather department has identified a high risk of flooding in rivers flowing through numerous districts, including Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Kavrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi (East and West), Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu.

Travelers have been specifically warned to exercise extreme caution due to the potential for sudden flash floods. Small and large rivers in the Bagmati, Madhesh, and Koshi provinces could experience sudden surges, increasing the flood threat in major rivers such as the Saptakoshi, Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, and Rapti.

The department has stated that the cyclone’s impact could last for at least three days and has called upon the public and local authorities to make necessary preparations to handle potential flooding.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar