The local administration in Banke has urged the locals to remain cautious as the water level in the Rapti river has been increasing. The river has been swollen due to torrential rain since Tuesday night, said Rupan Gyawali, information officer at the District Emergency Operation Center, Banke.

The water level in the river has been measured 3.18 meters high at 9 am on Wednesday while water level measuring 5 meters means to be an alarming sign and 5.4 meters signifies a danger line, it has been said. Banke measured 150 milliliters rain in the past six hours, said Gyawali. The water level in the river is predicted to increase throughout the day today as moderate rain is predicted, he said, adding that settlements including Holiya, Chaupheri, Betahani and Kamdi of Duduwa Rural Municipality and Baijapur, Binauna and Phattepur of Raptisonari Rural Municipality are at risk of being washed away.

The caution notice has been issued following the increment of the water level in the river, said Chief District Officer, Banke, Surya Bahadur Khatri. Local people are requested to stay alert and not to resort to any activities near the swollen river like fishing and collecting logs brought by the river.