PATNA, Aug. 28 -- The fear of floods in areas along the river Gandak has largely subsided. Discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage has returned to near-normal levels after a sharp surge triggered by flash floods upstream in Nepal and Tibet. Authorities in the districts traversed by the river and the water resources department (WRD) continues close monitoring of levels both upstream and downstream of the barrage as a precaution, officials said on Thursday. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday conducted an aerial survey from Sonepur to Valmikinagar and inspected the barrage and adjoining areas on both the Bihar and Nepal sides. He reviewed the upstream and downstream flow, the control room and administrative preparedness in Bagaha, Valmikinagar, Bettiah and Motihari. At the time of his inspection the discharge stood at around 106,000 cusecs at around 11 am. Speaking to reporters at the site, the CM said that the sudden disaster in Nepal was a matter of concern that required everyone to remain vigilant. "The Prime Minister and the Union home minister are continuously monitoring the situation in Bihar as well as in Uttar Pradesh," he noted. He observed that the flow had stabilised at roughly 100,000 cusecs and that the situation from the barrage right down to Patna was becoming uniform, with no immediate danger. P3...