The District Administration Office, Darchula, has urged residents along the Mahakali River to exercise extreme caution as the Dhauliganga Hydropower Project, located in Uttarakhand, India, prepares to open its dam gates for 48 hours, starting at 1 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The move is expected to cause a significant rise in the river’s water level in Nepal’s western border region.
The dam gates will remain open from 1 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, until 1 AM on Monday, October 5, 2026 (Nepali time: 1 AM on Sunday, October 4, 2026, to 1 AM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026). This measure is being taken for silt flushing, a routine maintenance activity for the 280-megawatt run-of-the-river project.
The warning specifically targets residents in the riverine areas from Vyas Rural Municipality-5 Dhaulakot to Lekam Rural Municipality-3 Lali in Darchula district. The administration also stated that the increased water flow could affect lower riparian areas in Baitadi, Dadeldhura, and Kanchanpur districts, which the Mahakali River traverses before flowing into India.
Dam opening for silt flushing
Mohansingh Dhami, Assistant Chief District Officer of Darchula, confirmed that the office issued the public notice based on information received from NHPC Limited, Dhauliganga Power Station, Dharchula, Pithoragarh, India, the operator of the Dhauliganga Hydropower Project. Local authorities have advised residents to avoid going to the riverbanks, refrain from unnecessary movement, and relocate to safer areas.
This is not the first time the Dhauliganga dam opening has prompted such warnings. In the past, similar actions have led to increased water levels in the Mahakali River. Just last month, on September 27, 2026, continuous rainfall caused a surge in the Mahakali River’s water flow, disrupting Nepal-India movement through the Gaddachauki western border point in Kanchanpur. The Mahakali River Control Project, originally located in Darchula, has since been relocated to Patan, Baitadi.
Prime Minister urges caution
Prime Minister Balen Shah emphasized the government’s primary duty to protect citizens’ lives on September 28, 2026. He warned that the risk of disaster had not yet subsided and urged everyone to remain vigilant. Prime Minister Shah has also appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel and to contact the toll-free number 1234 for assistance in any crisis.
Increased water levels expected
Nepal’s Flood Information Centre has forecasted heavy rainfall in some parts of the Mahakali watershed tonight, which could further increase river flow. They also warned that silt flushing could lead to a sudden surge in water levels, urging heightened vigilance in riparian zones. Furthermore, weather forecasts for Darchula indicate a possibility of rain and snowfall from October 4 to 6, which could exacerbate the river’s water levels.
While detailed information on the current water level and the exact volume of water to be released from the dam is not available, the administration has requested continued vigilance even after the dam gates are closed, as the river’s condition may not normalize immediately.
