New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- The devastating flash floods in Nepal have had no adverse impact on border areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh so far, though authorities in both states remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation, officials said on Thursday.
NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said 20 teams, including nine in Bihar and 11 in Uttar Pradesh, have been deployed for evacuation, rescue and relief operations if required. One of the teams is stationed in Kushinagar district near Gorakhpur.
"There has not been any adverse impact of the flash floods in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh till now. We are monitoring the situation in coordination with the two state governments and other agencies," Bundela said.
The Central Water Commission is also monitoring the situation. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the first barrage along the India-Nepal border at Valmikinagar in Bihar's West Champaran district on the Gandak River.
The water level of the Gandak, which rose sharply following the floods in Nepal, showed a receding trend on Thursday, providing relief to residents of low-lying areas in northern Bihar.
The discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage fell from 1.50 lakh cusecs at 11 pm on Wednesday to 1.04 lakh cusecs on Thursday morning. All 36 gates of the barrage had been opened after floodwaters from Nepal reached the structure.
The Water Resources Department said the river level began declining after peaking, though rainfall in Nepal's Devghat area later caused it to rise again. No adverse impact on embankments has been reported. The Ganga was also showing a declining trend, with a marginal rise of 1-2 cm possible at some locations, officials said.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and senior officials on Wednesday and directed authorities to maintain round-the-clock vigilance.
Officials said the highest discharge from the barrage this year was 2.24 lakh cusecs on July 14, compared with 5.625 lakh cusecs recorded on September 28, 2024, and expected the situation to remain normal.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.