Flood in three phases in Budhigandaki: Second flood in Arughat crosses danger level, alert urged till evening
Kathmandu. The major flood in the Budhigandaki river in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-3 area of Gorkha district is moving towards the lower coastal areas in different phases. Senior hydrologist Binod Parajuli of the Meteorological Department said that the flood has occurred in three phases since morning while the second flood has crossed the danger level in Arughat.
According to Parajuli, a big flood was reported from Chumchet area of Chumnubri Rural Municipality at around 4:00 am.
The floods have already caused damage in the upper areas and there is a risk in the lower areas as well.
He said that as soon as the flood information was received, advance information was disseminated in the lower coastal areas and the general public was also alerted through SMS. According to senior hydrologist Parajuli, the first flood reached Arughat at around 6:30 am. The flood was comparatively small. The second flood reached at 7:50 am, which crossed the danger level in Arughat. After that, the water level receded and the third flood was coming back to Arughat, he said. He said that looking at the situation so far, there is little immediate possibility of a major impact in the Arughat or lower areas. However, he said that the floods have already caused a lot of damage in the upper areas.
The exact reason for the sudden flood in Budhigandaki is yet to be revealed. Parajuli said that the initial speculation is that the flood may have started from the mountainous region far away from the human settlement.
He said that a study is underway to find out whether the river was blocked due to landslides or due to other reasons from the mountainous region. He said that more clarity on the exact cause of the flood may come within a few hours or by Sunday evening. As the floods occur in different stages and the water level in the river continues to rise or decrease, high alertness has been urged till this evening until further notice. Parajuli has requested the people living along the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River up to the confluence of the Trishuli River to leave their houses and move to higher places safely. People living in small settlements and bazaars along the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River including Arughat, Tatopani, Machhi Khola, Arkhet have been urged not to stay in risky places.
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