Due to incessant rains, many rivers in Bihar are in spate and there is a situation of floods in the state. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy rains for the next two-three days, which may worsen the situation.
Heavy rains predicted
According to a press release issued by the Patna Meteorological Centre, the districts of North Bihar may receive heavy rains. "There is a possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorm in the next 72 hours from July 9 in the adjoining districts of Nepal and North Bihar of the state," the press release said. This may lead to loss of life and property, water logging, obstruction of traffic, disrupted electricity service and rise in the water level of the rivers.
Officials of Patna Meteorological Centre have informed that the rains will mainly impact the lowland areas of Nepal and the North and Central Bihar districts which includes West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura, Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar.
Rivers above the danger mark
At several flood monitoring stations, Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla, Kosi and Mahanadi rivers are flowing above the danger mark due to heavy rains. The Gandak river is above the danger mark at Dumariaghat gauge station in Gopalganj. Similarly, the Bagmati river has risen above the danger mark at Dhang bridge of Sitamarhi. While the Kamala river is flowing above the danger mark in Madhubani's Jhanjharpur, Jayanagar, in Khagaria, Kosi is flowing above the danger mark.
Considering the heavy rains, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed the Water Resources Department, Disaster Management Department as well as the District Magistrates of all the districts to be on high alert.
Water Resources Department Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said, "In view of the warning of the Meteorological Center, all the engineers have been put on high alert and the situation is being closely monitored at Patna. Local people can also provide information to the government related to flood conditions in their area. ”
Preparation towards the rescue efforts complete
In wake of the flood situation due to increasing water level in the rivers, advanced preparations for rescue efforts are going on in many districts. According to officials from the Water Resources Department, there is preparedness to shift the people living in relief camps in case the water level rises in four blocks of Araria district, three blocks of Kishanganj affected by Mahananda river, six blocks of Katihar and Rupauli, Baisa, Bayesi and Amour in Purnia district affected by Kosi river and other low-lying areas .
Apart from this, seven panchayats of Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks of Muzaffarpur district, 12 panchayats of three blocks of Sitamarhi district and the population settled in low-lying areas within the river embankment of Shivhar, East and West Champaran will also be shifted elsewhere if the water level rises.
An official from the Water Resources Department said, "The water flow in the Kosi river is low now, but it is continuously increasing. If the water flow in the river exceeds 2 lakh cusecs, then preparations have been made to shift people from 22 Panchayats in five blocks of Supaul, two and a half dozen panchayats of Saharsa and eight panchayats of Madhepura to safer places."
With water level rising in the Manushmara river in Runnisaidpur in Sitamarhi, flood water has entered half a dozen villages. Due to the heavy rains in the Terai region of Nepal, 1.15 lakh cusecs of water has been released into the Gandak river from Gandak Barrage in Balmikinagar which has led to a critical situation in West Champaran. DM Kundan Kumar has informed that 190 homeguards have been deployed to monitor the embankments. Apart from this, engineers have also been asked to patrol the embankments continuously.
Public cooperation needed
In case you notice any cracks or other problems in the embankments in your area, then call the helpline number 18003456145 and share the information immediately.
You can also report at Twitter by tagging #HelloWRD, @WRD_Bihar (Department of Water Resources). On obtaining the information, the department will immediately inform the officials of the concerned area and prompt action will be taken.
You can also share this information with India Water Portal via
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Post to us
While sharing the information, please share your name, location, mobile number, email and photo. Your personal information will not be made public.
You can read the article in hindi here. Authored by Umesh Kumar Ray; Translation to english by Swati Bansal