NA detonates explosives in Sunkoshi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Two explosives detonated All 56 floodgates of Saptakoshi river kept open Eight people confirmed dead 40 airlifted to Kathmandu 90-100 meter high dam formed blocking the Sunkoshi river altogether Update (4:00) pm The Sunkoshi River that was blocked by massive landslide since early this morning has started to flow after Nepal Army (NA) detonated two explosives. The water volume in the river downstream has increased as compared to the regular one. Authorities believe resumption of river flow will put off possible damages. --------------------------------------------------------------- 56 Saptakoshi floodgatges kept open KATHMANDU, AUG 2: All 56 floodgates of the Saptakoshi barrage has been kept open as part of risk reduction work to the blocked Sunkoshi river, informed SP Mahasud Alam Kha of Sunsari District Police Office. According to Republica photographer Dipesh Shrestha, who is currently at the incident site, said the murky water has started gushing out of the pool of water. However, the mudslide has not stopped yet. It is continuously bringing down the piles of rubble and mud to the river. The government is preparing to conduct a controlled blast to give an outlet to the pool of water created by the blockage. According to Home Minister Bamdev Gautam, the situation has been very critical and the government is doing its best to resolve the crisis as soon as possible. He further said that the 200-meter area along the Saptakoshi river on both sides has been declared as the state of emergency. The rainfall-triggered landslide has formed as high as 90-100 meters dam completely blocking the Sunkoshi river. “The situation is very critical and it will incur huge losses unless it is taken under control as soon as possible,” Home Minster Bamdev Gautam said following an emergency meeting with security chiefs in Singha Durbar today. A big number of explosives devices have been taken to the incident site to this effect. A rescue team comprising over 500-700 security personnel have fanned out to the incident area. The government has declared the incident site as the zone of crisis. Home Minister Gautam further said this incident will not, however, affect Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal which is slated for Sunday. Water has started gushing into the upstream areas as the Sunkoshi river remains blocked for over 8 hours due to massive landslide near Jure bazaar in Sindhupalchok District on Saturday. The mudslide has been continuously bringing rubble down to the river further consolidating the blockage. It is suspected that over 300 people have been missing in the landslide as a whole ward area has been buried under it.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 11:56:58 +0000
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