Rising level of Gandak River threatens flood in Bihar

Nepal has released four lakh cusecs of water into Gandak river which has triggered a flood-like incident in Bihar. Bihar is already reeling under heavy floods after incessant rainfall lashed the state. Efforts are being undertaken by rescue officials to help the people.

Patna: With Nepal releasing huge amount of water from Valmikinagar barrage into Gandak river and widespread rain, speculations are rife that flood-like situation may arise in north Bihar. Situation continues to remain grim after Nepal, which had earlier halted the road construction at no man's land, discharged four lakh cusecs of water into Gandak river. The Gandak riverine areas under Piparasi, Madhubani, Bagaha blocks are likely to be affected.

The water level of Gandak river has crossed the danger mark and water has entered along the banks of LavKush Ghat which is situated on the left side of Gandak barrage. Incessant rainfall in the catchment and low-lying areas and the rising trends of Gandak, Kosi and Bagmati river has not only triggered flood threat in Bihar but has also disrupted communication lines and has damaged hectares of crops. The Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) border outpost camp at Jhandu Tola near India-Nepal border and Lakshmipur Rampurwa panchayat are still inundated under 5 feet Gandak floodwaters.

However, the district administration officials had earlier alerted that flood-like situation may arise as Nepal has discharged water from the barrage. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar instructed the officials of Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, East and West Champaran to shift people from low-lying areas to safer places. NDRF and SDRF teams were also deployed to provide immediate relief materials and carry out rescue work in the affected areas. The District Magistrates of all the affected areas have asked all the senior officials to visit the areas and monitor the situation.

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In an attempt to help the people, community kitchens and relief camps have been set up. Boats have also been pressed into service to rescue people.

Heavy rains in catchment areas of Nepal and north Bihar has caused flood and over three lakh people in eight districts have been affected.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asked the disaster management department officials and district magistrates to remain alert for a possible flood situation in view of heavy rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal and Gandak river.

The flood situation could arise due to heavy rainfall in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Saran districts, an official release had said. It noted that the water level and discharge from river Gandak are expected to increase in view of heavy rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal and Gandak river.

Meanwhile, the water resources department said in a bulletin that all its embankments are safe. The bulletin, however, did not mention loss of any human life and cattle due to floods.

River Ganga is flowing below danger mark at all locations, including two places in Patna, that is, Gandhi Ghat and Digha from where the water resources department collects the report.

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However, Baghmati river is flowing above danger mark at Dhenga, Sonakhan, Dubbadhar, Kataunjha in Sitamarhi district, Beinbad in Muzaffarpur and Hayaghat in Darbhanga district, the bulletin said.

Kamlabalan river is flowing above red mark at two places of Jainagar and Jhanjharpur rail bridge in Madhubani, while Burhi Gandak is above danger mark at Rosera rail bridge in Samastipur district.

Mahananda river is flowing above danger level at two places of Taiyabpur in Kishanganj and Dhangaraghat in Purnea, while river Khiroi is flowing above danger level at Kamtaul and Ekmighat in Darbhanga district, it said.

With agency inputs