Syangja, September 24
Given the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in Syangja, the District Administration Office has urged people to remain highly alert.
The administration has requested the public to take precautions, saying continuous rainfall could raise water levels in rivers and streams and increase the risk of flash floods, landslides, inundation, and riverbank erosion.
The District Administration Office, Syangja, issued the notice based on a weather bulletin from the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
According to the notice, a low-pressure system developing over the Andaman Sea region of India is strengthening and moving in a west-to-northwest direction, raising the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain, along with thunder, lightning, and windstorms, in Syangja and surrounding areas from Thursday, September 24, through 27.
The administration said continuous rain could increase the natural flow of rivers and streams, raising water levels. This carries a high risk of flash floods, surges, inundation, and landslides near rivers and streams.
Because dry landslides can occur even after strong sunshine following rain, and mudslides carrying debris can flow down from upper sections of rivers and streams, residents living along riverbanks have been urged to take special precautions.
The administration has asked people not to fish, swim, bathe, wash clothes, collect firewood, sand or gravel, or carry out any other activity along riverbanks during periods when flooding is possible. People have been asked not to go near riverbanks to retrieve belongings during flooding and not to allow family members to go to such places either.
Similarly, the administration has requested that people avoid grazing or watering livestock, and avoid playing volleyball, football, cricket, or other outdoor games near riverbanks. Parents have been asked to keep watch over children and prevent them from going to risk-prone areas.
Residents living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas have been told to continuously monitor water flow and to be ready to move immediately to safe locations if water levels rise. Drivers have been asked not to stop or park vehicles on roads and in market areas along riverbanks.
To stay safe from lightning, the administration has asked people to remain safely indoors and not to stand under trees, electric poles, towers, or other tall structures. People have also been asked to stay away from ponds, rivers, and streams, and not to stay on hilltops or elevated ground.
The administration has requested that people regularly follow official weather forecasts, advisories, and warnings issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the federal government, provincial government, local administration, local levels, and security agencies, and comply with directives from the relevant bodies.
The administration has also urged relevant federal and provincial government bodies, local levels, security agencies, volunteers, and other stakeholders to remain on alert with necessary preparations, and to relocate at-risk residents to safe locations in time.
For information related to rain and floods, the District Administration Office said people can contact 1155, the disaster helpline 1234, Nepal Police at 100, or the Armed Police Force, Nepal at 1114.
