Water level has surged in Saptakoshi River on Tuesday following incessant rainfall in eastern hilly districts.

According to technicians, the water flow in the river was measured at 171,000 cusec on Tuesday afternoon. The level had reached 181,000 cusec, the highest this year, on Monday.

The volume of the river increased after the river’s tributaries were flooded due to continuous rainfall in the hilly region. The red lights are put on and red flags hoisted after the water level crosses 150,000 cusec.

Technicians say that the Koshi barrage, though originally built to withstand 12,00,000 cusec water, currently has the capacity to hold only 6,00,000 cusec water due to the sedimentation of sand at the barrage.

In August 2008, thousands of people were rendered homeless after the Koshi barrage collapsed causing massive floods in bordering region of Nepal and India.