First warning issued as Kulekhani reservoir nears full capacity, downstream areas urged to stay alert

Authorities have urged residents of downstream areas to exercise caution after continuous rainfall pushed the Kulekhani reservoir toward full capacity. The reservoir's water level has reached 1,527.93 meters.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority's Kulekhani I Hydropower Station, continuous heavy rain in the dam's catchment area has caused the water level to rise at a high rate. As the water level kept rising, the project issued its first warning.

Due to the effect of Cyclone Arnab, continuous rain has been falling since Friday in the catchment area of Kulekhani Hydropower Project (Indra Sarovar), the country's largest reservoir-based project. The water level is expected to cross 1,528 meters by afternoon.

The station has urged people living in the downstream areas of the Kulekhani dam and along the riverbanks nearby to remain alert.