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Koshi Barrage

Coordinates: 26°31′35″N 86°55′37″E / 26.5263°N 86.9269°E / 26.5263; 86.9269
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Koshi Barrage
Coordinates26°31′35″N 86°55′37″E / 26.5263°N 86.9269°E / 26.5263; 86.9269
CarriesMotor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
CrossesKoshi River
LocaleSunsari and Saptari district, Nepal
Characteristics
DesignSupreme and Company Limited, Kolkata, India
Total length1,150 m (3,773.0 ft)
Width10 m (32.8 ft)
History
Construction start1958
Construction end1962
Opened1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Location
Map

The Koshi Barrage is a sluice across the Koshi river that carries vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between Saptari district and Sunsari district of Nepal. The bridge is built near the International border with India. It was built between 1958 and 1962 and has 56 gates.[1]The bridge was constructed after the Koshi Agreement was signed between Government of Nepal and India in April 25, 1954.[2][3] The barrage was designed and built by Joseph and Company Limited, India. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is roughly 3–4 miles north of the Barrage.

2017 flood

Due to this barrage, every year several areas of Terai is affected due to the flood and blockage of this barrage. It affects mostly the Koshi region of Bihar (Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura and Purnia). The Kosi River is known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" as the annual floods affect about 21,000 km2 (8,100 sq mi) of fertile agricultural lands thereby disturbing the rural economy. The Koshi has an average water flow (discharge) of 2,166 m3/s (76,500 cu ft/s).[4]

2008 flood

In August 2008, the eastern embankments of the Koshi Barrage collapsed, several miles north of the Nepal-India border. The resulting flood wiped out miles of fertile farmland in Nepal, covering it with a thick layer of riversand, and affected 53,800 Nepalese. It left 3 million people homeless in Bihar, India.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Koshi Barrack over the largest river of Nepal". Boss Nepal. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Sorrow of Bihar". egov.eletsonline.com. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Koshi Agreement between India and Nepal" (PDF). Indian Embassy, Nepal. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  4. ^ "'Sorrow of Bihar' River Kosi: An overview". 4 August 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  5. ^ Adhikary, Dhruba (5 September 2008). "For Prachanda, a tale of two cities", Asia Times. Retrieved on 29 September 2008.