Saptakoshi Floods Inundate 157 Homes in Saptari as River Levels Rise

Floodwaters from the Saptakoshi River have entered 157 homes in Saptari district, forcing residents in parts of Tilathi Koiladi and Hanumannagar Kankalini to move to embankments and other safer, elevated areas.

Seventeen houses in Wards 4 and 5 of Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality have been inundated after floodwater entered settlements along the river. Food supplies stored inside homes have also been damaged, leaving affected families struggling with basic necessities.

Elderly people and children have been moved to safer locations along the western embankment of the Koshi River. A Border Outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force in Bode Barsain has also been affected by the rising water.

Residents said the flooding has made it difficult to cook, eat and remain inside their homes.

Local representatives have been visiting affected communities and coordinating arrangements for temporary shelter and food. Lalan Prasad Raut, ward chair of Tilathi Koiladi-5, said local authorities were assessing the situation and working to arrange relief supplies for affected families.

The situation is also serious in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality. Floodwater has entered around 80 houses in the Koshi riverbank area of Ward 12, while another 60 houses in Gobargadha, Ward 13, have been inundated, according to Saptari District Police Superintendent Rupak Khadka.

Residents in the affected settlements have moved to higher ground after water entered their homes, with access to cooking facilities and normal living conditions disrupted.

Koshi River continues to rise

The flooding comes as the Saptakoshi River continues to carry a high volume of water following several days of heavy rainfall.

At the Koshi Barrage, water discharge reached about 316,795 cusecs by 6am on Saturday, prompting authorities to open 43 of the barrage’s gates. The number of open gates had increased steadily as the river level rose during the previous day.

Authorities have urged people living in downstream and flood-prone areas to remain alert as the river continues to rise. Earlier reports had already placed the Koshi Barrage under a red alert after the discharge crossed 240,000 cusecs.

Saptari’s settlements along the Saptakoshi are particularly vulnerable when the river reaches high discharge levels. Local residents say flooding has repeatedly affected low-lying communities in the area.

For families currently displaced by the latest flooding, the immediate priorities are safe shelter, food, drinking water and continued monitoring of the river level.