Valley rivers cross warning level, Chyasal bridge closed, people urged to avoid river corridors

After water levels in the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Hanumante, Manohara and Balkhu rivers in Kathmandu Valley crossed the warning level, the administration has urged people not to travel along river corridors.

Movement has been halted at the bridge in Chyasal, Lalitpur, after floodwater reached it. Valley Traffic Police spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi said surveillance has been increased along riverbanks and public address announcements are being made to ask people to move vehicles parked near riverbanks.

At Thapathali, the Bagmati's water level has risen above the warning mark, while floodwater has entered the Balkhu vegetable market area. Kathmandu Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Thapa said around 6 families were relocated from a house at risk due to erosion by the Balkhu Khola.

After the Hanumante river overflowed, around 16 families were moved to a safe location from Sirjana Tole in Lokanthali, Madhyapur Thimi-1, the District Police Office, Bhaktapur, said.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung visited the area around the CPN-UML central office in Chyasal to observe the situation after the Manohara's flow increased.

The flow has also increased at Chobhar Gorge, where the Valley's water drains out, drawing crowds who came to watch the flood. The Armed Police Force has asked people to contact the toll-free number 1114 or the Emergency Operation Centre at 1234 in case of emergencies.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a 90 percent chance of rain in Kathmandu today.