Koshi Barrage under red alert with 31 gates open as Saptakoshi rises

Thirty-one gates at the Koshi Barrage in Sunsari had been opened by 25 September 2026 as the Saptakoshi River kept rising, Khabarhub English and OnlineKhabar English reported. Chief District Officer Ishwori Prasad Aryal said the barrage was operating under a red alert after the flood discharge climbed to 240,000 cusecs. Aryal set the reading against earlier years, when the Koshi River carried floods of more than 500,000 cusecs. He said there was “no need to panic at present”, though the district administration remained on high alert. Both outlets carried his remark that officials stay watchful even though the situation does not call for alarm. Traffic over the Koshi Bridge has not been suspended. According to Aryal, nothing in the present situation requires vehicles to be stopped, and the administration will decide on any restriction only if the water climbs further. Vehicles were therefore still crossing when both reports were filed on 25 September 2026. Separately, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has asked people living in low-lying, downstream and flood-prone areas to stay on high alert while the Saptakoshi continues to rise. Reports differ on how long the advisory runs: Khabarhub English says until 26 September 2026, while OnlineKhabar English says it extends a day longer.