The swollen Ganga in Patna. Photo: Pranav Sahi
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By Dheeraj Sinha*
Patna: The flood water has gushed into dozens of villages of Bagaha in Bihar’s West Champaran district as 4.16 lakh Cusecs of water was released from Valmikinagar Gandak barrage on Tuesday even as flood threat looms large over in other districts of north Bihar.
Six districts of north Bihar- West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Saran – are facing serious flood threat following discharge of water from Gandak barrage following heavy downpour in the catchment area of the river in Nepal.
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Two major rivers in north Bihar- Gandak and Kosi are in spate as water resources department has issued high alert in six districts of north Bihar and riverine belt of Kosi. In view of Kosi river being swollen due to heavy rainfall in Nepal, 48 out of 56 gates of the barrage have been opened. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), entire Bihar is likely to witness downfall in the next three days.
Special arrangement for embankment monitoring
Special arrangements have been made for the monitoring of embankments in the districts concerned following the issuance of alert. Block development officers and circle officers are appealing people through public address system living in the low lying areas, being affected by release of water, to shift to higher places.
Disaster management department in active mode
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked disaster management department and district magistrates to remain fully alert in view of rising level of rivers.
Disaster Management Department’s Additional Secretary Ramchandra said that five blocks each in Sitamarhi, Supaul and Darbhanga districts, four blocks each in Kishanganj and Gopalganj districts, three blocks each in Sheohar, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur districts. At least 156 Panchayats in 32 blocks of 8 districts are affected by flood in the state presently. Relief camps have been opened in the affected areas.
*The writer is a senior journalist
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