All traffic halted at Koshi Barrage; water flow hits 531,000 cubic seconds

Biratnagar, September 28 —The water flow in the Saptakoshi river is still on the rise, currently measured at 531,000 cubic seconds.

All 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened, and the movement of vehicles and people has been completely halted, as informed by Bikram Luintel, press advisor to the Chief Minister of Koshi Province.

A team led by Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki is currently monitoring the Koshi Barrage area. Meanwhile, 34 individuals stranded in wards 6 and 9 of Barahakshhetra have yet to be rescued.

They have been unable to return as the water flow continues to increase. Coordination with the federal government is ongoing for their rescue, as stated by the Chief Minister's office.

Among those stranded, 22 are in ward 6 and 12 in ward 9. Despite rescue efforts initiated since morning, the police have reported that they have not yet been successful.

The stranded individuals, who raise buffaloes in a temporary settlement on an island in the river, remain trapped.

The Koshi Province Police Office has deployed a 10-member team from the Mahendranagar police station in Sunsari and a 7-member team from the Armed Police Force in Chatara for the rescue operation.