Banking News – Water flow in the Saptakoshi River has continued to increase with the onset of the monsoon, prompting authorities to open 21 gates of the Koshi Barrage as river discharge surpassed 163,230 cusecs on Wednesday evening.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandra Bahadur Khadka of Sunsari, continued rainfall across eastern Nepal is expected to further increase the river’s flow in the coming days.

Of the 56 gates at the Koshi Barrage—including 52 main gates and four canal gates—21 gates have been opened to regulate the rising water level.

The Koshi Barrage Control Room said that red warning lights and red flags are displayed once the river’s discharge exceeds 150,000 cusecs, signaling an increased flood risk.

Authorities noted that although the Saptakoshi River appears relatively calm during the dry season, it becomes highly turbulent during the monsoon, drawing attention from both Nepal and neighboring India due to its flood potential.

Heavy rainfall across the eastern hills and Tarai during the months of Asar, Shrawan, and Bhadra typically raises water levels in major rivers, increasing the risk of flooding and riverbank erosion in surrounding areas.

The Saptakoshi River is formed by the confluence of Tamor, Arun, Sunkoshi, Dudhkoshi, Tamakoshi, Bhotekoshi, and Indrawati rivers. While it swells during the rainy season, large stretches of the riverbed remain covered with sand during the dry months.