Koshi River swelling and turbulent water flow because of heavy rain has suspended jet boat services since the last one week.

The swollen river, triggered by heavy rains in hill districts, sweeps logs and stones that pose risk to boat services.

Nonetheless, some operators ply services as soon as the water level of the river recedes. Daily commuters face difficulties because of the irregular boat service. Usually, a jet boat ferries 25-35 passengers on one trip.

There are eight such services on Saturday and five on other days. On Tuesday, it could make only a trip as the logs had been flowing in the river. Barahchhetra Water Transport and Tourism Service Pvt Ltd operates a jet boat from Chatara in Baharachhetra to around 30kms upstream in Arun and the Dudhkoshi rivers.

Commercial boat services started earlier this year on April 2. This is a great boon to residents of Hatuwagadi, Chuhar, Aamchok, and Simle among other places of Bhojpur and Dhankuta districts.A passenger reaches his destination within 20 to 30 minutes, instead of a few hours on foot.

A boat company staff Amit Bhagat said, “The boat service would most probably be suspended for three months during monsoons. We will resume the service mid-September. We plan to add another jet boat as well.”