Bihar on high alert as Gandak, Kosi and Bagmati swell; 17 districts flagged

Bihar has sounded a high alert across its border districts and other vulnerable areas after incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of the Gandak river in Nepal pushed the Gandak, Bagmati and Kosi into spate.

Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired a high-level review meeting on Saturday with officials of the Disaster Management Department, the Water Resources Department and the District Magistrates of 17 districts through video conferencing.

The districts placed on high alert are Sitamarhi, West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Saran, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Katihar, Khagaria and Begusarai. Special surveillance has been ordered in these districts and in other vulnerable pockets.

District Magistrates have been told to continuously monitor river water levels, low-lying areas, embankments, riverside villages, bridges and culverts, and connecting roads.

The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been asked to remain alert to handle any eventuality. Districts have also been directed to keep adequate boats, life jackets, rescue equipment and other essentials ready.

Early warnings are to be spread widely through public announcements in potentially affected areas, and people are to be moved to safer locations in time if the need arises. The district administration, police, Water Resources Department, Disaster Management Department and other agencies have been asked to maintain continuous coordination.

"All available resources are being kept in standby or active mode so that rescue and relief operations can commence immediately if required. The State government is continuously monitoring the situation. The administration is fully alert, and necessary rescue and relief resources are already being deployed in vulnerable areas. For any emergency assistance, the Disaster Management Department's toll-free number, 1070, can be contacted," a senior official present at the meeting said.

Mr. Amrit instructed all District Magistrates to keep public representatives and the general public informed through regular press conferences and to make clear that there is no cause for panic or for believing rumours.

According to the Bihar Weather Service Centre, 212.0 mm of rainfall has been recorded so far in September, about 10% above normal. The Central Water Commission has reported that the Gandak, Kosi and Bagmati are flowing above the danger mark at several places.

On Saturday, the water discharge at the Gandak Barrage stood at 2,88,800 cusecs and at the Indrapuri Barrage at 43,565 cusecs, both on a rising trend. The Kosi Barrage recorded a discharge of 3,03,795 cusecs, with a stable trend.

Flooding has already affected nearly 50.49 lakh people across 578 Gram Panchayats in 15 districts — Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia, Madhepura and Arwal.