Kathmandu. The news and videos circulating on social media about the opening of the dam of the Kulekhani Hydropower Project are completely misleading and false.
Prahlad Raut, head of the office of Kulekhani I, said that the videos going viral on social media are two-three years old and the gates of the dam have not been opened at present. He also urged the general public not to spread false content that can spread fear.
According to Raut, the water level has been kept under control by continuously running the machines of the power house. The project chief said, “At present, the water level has reached 23.18 meters and the total capacity of the reservoir is 30 meters. There is still a capacity of about 7 meters left.” ’
According to the current water level, there is still a capacity of about seven meters left to fill the dam completely. Although the Department of Water and Meteorology has predicted rain for three days, the project estimates that there may be no continuous rainfall in the catchment area and if there is normal rainfall, there will be no need to open the gates of the dam and release water.
A pre-warning system has been put in place to alert the residents of the coastal areas if the dam gates have to be opened if the water level reaches the high point due to incessant rains. Sirens will be sounded three times at different levels before the situation of opening the dam is created. A direct SMS will also be sent to the residents of the lower riparian areas on their mobile phones, the project said.
Recalling that prior information was disseminated through mass media including Nepal Television in the past years as well, Mayor Raut urged one and all not to follow any illusion or the rumour and believe only in the official information.
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