Koshi: Coffer dams collapse

ITAHARI: The temporary embankments at Saptakoshi collapsed on Wednesday morning due to incessant rainfall in the past few days. The collapse occurred since the water level in the river rose before the completion of Saptakoshi embankment. The temporary coffer dams had been constructed to divert the flow of water in a different direction for the construction of the Saptakoshi embankment in Moriyadhar. The flow of water had reached 43,000 cusec in the embankments, whereas the capacity was only for 33,000 cusec. This could have been averted had the Indian contractors completed the construction on time. According to the police, the incident could cause greater loss of life and property than last year. The level of water has been increasing, but the doors of Saptakoshi have not been opened.
The Himalayan Times27 May 2009

Koshi changes course again

Kantipur Report SUNSARI, May 27 - Flood resulting from incessant rainfall for almost four days has heavily damaged the pilot channel designed to revert the Koshi River into its original course. The water has taken its toll near Madhuwan where three channels have been destroyed.

“Made up of sand, the pilot channel started breaking up from the mid-sections and spread onto the embankment damaging another two spurs. The water, then, reverted to a course through the eastern embankment,” said one of our sources. Persistent rain has increased the water flow to 80,000 cusec.

The river was reverted to its original course on January 25 last year after it went berserk on August 18 the year before. Though the Indian government vowed to revert the river back before the monsoon this year, only two spurs have been made so far.

ekantipur.com 27 May 09



Cofferdams in Koshi washed away; river starts changing course

Cofferdams constructed in Koshi river to prevent the river from entering human settlements has been washed away due to heavy rains in the last few days. The river has started changing course after the dams got washed away Tuesday night. No major disaster has occurred as there were no human settlements on the area the river is flowing now. Some doors of the Koshi barrage have been opened to prevent further damage in the cofferdams and the embankments. Water level in Koshi had risen due to the recent rains.

nepalnews.com 27 May 09