Bihar braces for floods as Nepal rains push rivers above danger mark

Several parts of Bihar faced the threat of flooding on Friday as water levels in the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak rivers continued to rise following devastating flash floods and heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal.

A senior official said excess water brought by the flash floods had caused the Gandak river to swell, prompting authorities to open all 36 gates of the barrage at Valmiki Nagar. About 1.02 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the Gandak Barrage by 5 pm on Friday.

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"Teams of the Water Resources Department at the Gandak barrage are on alert. Officers have been directed to ensure regular inspection of the river embankments, maintain a round-the-clock vigil and make all preparations for a possible emergency," the official said.

An ice-rock landslide blocked a river near Nepal's border with China, triggering a flash flood that devastated the Himalayan nation and left at least 547 people dead.

The disaster, coupled with incessant rainfall, prompted authorities in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to intensify monitoring of rivers flowing downstream from Nepal.

"The water levels of several rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak, have been rising following continuous rainfall in their catchment areas in Nepal.

"The rivers have touched or crossed the danger level at several places in the bordering districts," a senior Water Resources Department official said.

According to the department's bulletin issued on Friday, the Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak and Ghaghra rivers were flowing above the danger mark at several locations in Bihar, while some had reached warning levels.

The Gandak had crossed the danger mark in Gopalganj, while the Kosi and Burhi Gandak had reached the danger level in Khagaria, Katihar and Kursela.

The Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at Digha, Hathidah and Gandhighat in Patna, as well as Kahlgaon in Bhagalpur. The Ghaghra had also crossed the danger mark at Darauli in Siwan district, the bulletin said.

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Authorities have begun moving people from low-lying areas to safer locations, while all concerned departments have been placed on alert.

"District Magistrates have been directed to personally monitor the situation. Flood Control Department officials and engineers are camping at vulnerable sites in Bhagalpur, Purnea, Katihar, West Champaran and other districts", the official said.

The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have also been kept on standby at selected locations as authorities prepare for any further deterioration in the situation.