BETTIAH, Aug. 7 -- Residents of several villages under Laxmipur Rampurwa panchayat in Bihar's West Champaran district have started moving to safer, higher ground on Thursday as floodwaters entered their villages and disrupted routines following rise in water levels in the Gandak river. Bagaha -2 circle officer (CO) Wasim Akram said, "The water is feared to enter Chakdahwa and Jhandwa Tola following the rise in Gandak. "The administration has issued an alert and villagers have already been asked to move to safer and elevated locations as a precautionary measure." Videos emerging from Chakdahwa village show locals wading through waterlogged area with their belongings. "600-odd people are likely to be affected by the water inundation and many have taken shelter in a school at an elevated place," said Suman Singh, representative, Laxmipur Rampurwa panchayat. Basant Ram, from Been Toli, said the topography of his village is taking a toll on him and his family. "While we are exposed to the threat of wild animals round the year, the Gandak often forces us to stay away from the village for days due to floodwater entering our village," he said. Another villager, Sheetla Devi, had already raised a wooden platform in her thatched house with essential articles including firewood and food items. "It's not a matter of two villages - Chakdahwa and Jhandwa Tola -alone. Flood will hit our villages too sooner or later," said Devi. When contacted, district disaster management officer Nagma Tabassum said administration was fully geared to deal with any flood-like situation. "We are closely monitoring the situation and will respond promptly to any information regarding flooding or waterlogging," she said....