Rising Nepal River Threatens to Flood Wide Areas

Officials say rising water levels in a river known for flooding in eastern Nepal could cause it to burst its banks and inundate large areas of villages.

Disaster prevention engineer Mohan Bhattarai says rain is continuing to fall and water levels on the Kosi river already have exceeded the danger level.

The river about 250 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Katmandu is known for flooding large areas in Nepal and across the border in India.

Bhattarai said Monday that workers are attempting to enforce the river’s banks.

Nepal’s monsoon season began earlier this month and lasts until September. The rains often trigger landslides in mountain areas and floods in the southern plains.