- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 29 Sep 2024 11:07 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Flood Alert: The Bihar government has issued a flood alert in several districts of north and central Bihar due to rising water levels in Kosi, Gandak, and Ganga rivers. This follows the release of water from Valmikinagar and Birpur barrages. Over 16.28 lakh people across 13 districts have already been affected by floods caused by heavy rain.
#WATCH | Bihar: People of Araria district suffer as flood water enters houses due to a rise in water level in Pramana River. (28.09.24) pic.twitter.com/V5Lh4wQMIv
— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024
#WATCH | Bihar: "We are going towards the roads since water has entered our houses. Everything has been damaged due to water like grains, pulses and our clothes as well...," says Tarakchand Mukhiya, a local affected due to flood water. https://t.co/CQjIKE90lG pic.twitter.com/JR3hhy9vvw
— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department (WRD) reported increased water discharge in rivers due to heavy rains in Nepal. "Due to heavy rains in Nepal, water discharge in rivers like Gandak, Koshi, Mahananda etc. has increased significantly on Saturday," the WRD stated.
"All the gates of the Kosi River have been opened. The water level is quite high. We hope that the CM of Bihar and all the ministers are fully prepared to handle the situation if it leads to any flooding," said RJD MP Misa Bharti, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Up to 5.79 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Birpur Barrage on the Kosi River, the most since 1968. Similarly, 5.38 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Valmikinagar Barrage, the largest discharge since 2003.
Santosh Kumar Mall, Principal Secretary of the WRD, assured that safety measures are in place to secure the embankments. "The teams of the WRD are monitoring the embankments on 247 basis so that prompt action can be taken as soon as any erosion or danger is detected," he said, as quoted by an Economic Times report.
#WATCH | Bihar: Embankment built on the Bagmati River for the construction of a dam at the Belwa area in the Sheohar district damaged due to heavy water pressure pic.twitter.com/Rofg2xcB28
— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024
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Continuous rainfall has caused rivers like Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan, Mahananda and Ganga to rise. Authorities in Nepal released significant volumes of water into Gandak and Kosi barrages, leading to flooding in districts such as West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Araria, Supaul, Katihar, and Purnea.