Flood continues to wreck havoc in Bihar

Flood continues to create havoc on Bihar due to the incessant rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal. The heavy discharge of water from the Gandak barrage at Valmikinagar has resulted in the rise of the water level of the Gandak river. State administration has been put on high alert to protect the embankment in the concerned districts.

Patna: Flood continues to create havoc on Bihar due to the incessant rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal. The heavy discharge of water from the Gandak barrage at Valmikinagar has resulted in the rise of the water level of the Gandak River. State administration has been put on high alert to protect the embankment in the concerned districts.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also keeping a close eye and has asked the district magistrates of all flood-prone areas to be on alert. The metrological department and the Central Water Commission (CWC) have already issued warnings for the heavy rainfall and flood prediction respectively. Meanwhile, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at flood-prone areas.

Bihar has 16 flood-prone districts and every year lakhs of people lose their homes and livelihood. Last year 7.54 lakh hectares of agricultural land was destroyed due to flood and around 139 people had lost their lives. ETV Bharat reporters in flood-affected districts have been deployed on the ground to take the stalk of the situation. Here are reports from the respective districts.

Bagaha

The first rain of the monsoon has created flood situations in many areas of Bagha. Many villages have gone underwater at Piprasi block near Gandak Diara. The affected villagers have shifted to the under-construction railway dam as water has entered the village. Similarly, Chakdahwa Village near the Nepal border has made villagers life difficult.

The continuous rains on the upstreams of the Himalayan region have led to flash floods in many districts of north Bihar. Four feet of water has entered the SSB camp located at Jhandu Tola locality. The SSB jawans had to shift to other places to save their arms and ammunition. Many families have been displaced in the areas and are facing the problem of food and shelter. Around half a dozen villages at the Indo-Nepal border have submerged. The affected families are living in makeshift homes using plastics. Many have even made the bullock-cart their temporary house.

Similarly, the Pahadi River at Gaunaha block in Narkatiaganj has created fear among the villagers. Approach road over Katha river has been washed away due to floods causing great difficulties in transportation. All 25 wards of the Narkatiyaganj ward have submerged and dirty water from drainage has entered the houses. Water has entered many shops as well. One SUV has washed away in the floodwater in the Hardaha river in Bagaha.

Bettiah

Due to continuous rainfall in Bettiah, many roads have been washed away and connections from the district headquarters have been cut off. Due to the rise in the water level, villagers were forced to spend the night in the government school located on a height. Communication from the Narkatiaganj sub-division and district headquarters is completely cut off due to flooding. The place has literally turned into an island. Transportation on the Basantpur Lachka at Bettiah main road is also stopped.

Life in several villages like Dhamaura, Barwakala, Basantpur, Belwa Tola, Singhpur, Satvariya, Laksnauta has come to standstill. Due to the rise in the water level, soil erosion continues in the area. Many villagers have shifted to safer places along with their cattle. Due to the release of water from the Gandak barrage at Valmikinagar many villages are facing a flood. People are risking their lives to cross the roads using tractors and bikes. For some people, it has become business as well by charging Rs 150 from tractor to cross the submerged road.

Gopalganj and Saran

Around 22 panchayats located on the embankment of Saran district are underwater now and people have started shifting to other places to save their lives. As many as 20000 people are in danger in the area due to the flood. Similarly in the Gopalganj district, the flash flood has made life miserable at Sadar Block. Water has entered around 300 houses at Makdusdpur village causing problems with food and shelter. Many panchayats have been put on high alert which includes Kuchaikot, Gopalganj, Manjha, Sonbarsa, Sidhvaliya and Bansghat. The road construction department has taken special measures to ensure that the Sattar Ghat bridge approach road does cave in like the previous year.

East Champaran

Flood like situation has arisen in the many blocks of East Champaran district due to the release of 4.4 lakh cusec water from Gandak Barrage. Water is spread in Kesaria block and one bridge at Majhariya village was washed away in the heavy rain. Due to the rise in the water level of River Gandak, water has started entering into many blocks. Villagers and government officials are facing trouble after flood water damaged the bridge.

Madhubani

The water level of the Bhutaha Balan river in Madhubani district continuously shows a rising trend and the water level is two feet above the danger mark at Phulparas. As the water level has crossed the danger mark, the fear of flood looming large in the area. Meanwhile, the met department had issued a warning of heavy rain for the next 48 hours and sounded alert in districts like Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj, Purnea, Araria and Siwan.