Bagmati River Surges: Kathmandu Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant as Flood Alert Hits Gaurighat

The **Bagmati River** has triggered a **high alert** in Kathmandu after its water level surged past the warning threshold at the **Gaurighat monitoring station**. On Sunday evening, officials recorded the water level at **2.41 meters**, significantly exceeding the alert mark of 2.1 meters, prompting urgent safety warnings for residents in flood-prone zones .

Immediate Safety Warnings Issued

The **Department of Hydrology and Meteorology** has officially urged residents living in **riverside and low-lying areas** to remain on high alert until **Monday morning**. Mobile alerts have been dispatched to communities in **Gaurighat, Guhyeshwari, Chabahil, Nayabasti, and Jorpati**, instructing them to stay safe as water levels continue to climb .

Engineer **Ashish Bhatt** of the Flood Forecasting Division emphasized that the rising water is a direct result of **continuous rainfall** that began around midnight on Tuesday, with some areas receiving up to **25 millimeters per hour** of precipitation . Officials are actively monitoring the situation to mitigate potential damage from flash flooding.

Rising Flood Risks Across the Valley

The surge is not isolated to the Bagmati. The **Rudramati (Dhobikhola) River** in the **Kapan area** is also approaching its alert level, compounding the flood risk for the capital . Historically, heavy monsoon rains have pushed the Bagmati beyond danger thresholds in areas like **Khokana, Gaurighat, and Balkhu**, while the **Bishnumati River** has similarly breached safety limits at **Gongabu Bus Park** in previous years .

Authorities warn that the **Bagmati Corridor** and riverside travel routes require **heightened vigilance** due to the rapidly increasing flow . As the monsoon season persists, the department continues to track these critical water levels to prevent widespread inundation in the Kathmandu Valley.