Himal Press 
ITAHARI: Authorities have opened all 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage as the water level has risen significantly in the Saptakoshi River.
According to the Koshi Barrage Control Room, all 56 gates were opened at 9 am after the water flow in the river reached 368,680 cusecs.
At 6 am, the control room had opened 46 gates as the water flow in the river increased to 342,065 cusecs.
SP Bipin Regmi of the District Police Office, Sunsari, said that water levels in all tributaries of the Saptakoshi River have risen due to heavy rainfall over the past several hours.
The Saptakoshi River drains seven major rivers east of Kathmandu: Indrawati, Sunkoshi, Tamakoshi, Likhu, Dudhkoshi, Arun, and Tamor.
As the water level in the river rises, officials have requested people living on the banks of the Saptakoshi River in Sunsari and Udaypur to remain on high alert. According to locals, the Saptakoshi River has already started eroding its banks in a few places.
A few years ago, flooding in the Saptakoshi caused significant damage to various areas in the Sunsari and Udaypur districts when the river eroded its western bank.
