New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Lucknow/Patna, August 26
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were placed on high alert on Wednesday after flash floods in neighbouring Nepal caused widespread destruction and raised the possibility of a rise in water levels in the Gandak river system in India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the Centre coordinated with the two states, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local administrations and rescue teams were put on standby in areas likely to be affected.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) said there had been a sudden rise in the Trishuli river at Furke Khola in Nepal, around 160 km from the Indian border, following suspected flash-flood and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood activity near the Nepal-China border. It said water levels in reservoirs on the Nepal side were declining and the situation was under control. The Union Home Ministry said there was no panic-like situation, but warned that floodwaters could travel downstream through the Gandak river in India.
Shah said the NDRF had been placed on high alert along with local administrations and relief and rescue teams in border areas. Officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Jal Shakti and Defence were monitoring developments. The Bihar and Uttar Pradesh governments have also begun evacuations and other support measures for communities living near the India-Nepal border.
In Bihar, special vigilance has been ordered in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, as well as vulnerable districts including Sitamarhi and Sheohar. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar were opened to facilitate the movement of water.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Water Resources Department portfolio, said about 86,000 cusecs of water was released from the barrage around noon. A technical team headed by a Superintending Engineer has been deployed there, while warnings have been sent to districts along the Gandak basin. Choudhary said Bihar would need to remain alert through the night.
Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit reviewed the situation with district magistrates and senior police officers from border districts. Authorities were told to keep evacuation plans, boats, shelters and community kitchens ready and complete rescue and relief preparations.
In Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath directed the administrations of Maharajganj and Kushinagar to prepare for any rise in the Gandak and Narayani rivers. Maharajganj ordered round-the-clock monitoring of the Gandak and made arrangements to shift residents from vulnerable low-lying and riverside areas to safer locations if necessary. Kushinagar authorities ordered evacuations from Marchahwa, Shivpur and other villages, with public announcements urging residents to move to safer areas. Special vigilance is being maintained in Shivpur, Hariharpur, Narayanpur, Marchahwa and Basantpur in Khadda tehsil because rainfall in Nepal could raise the Narayani river level. The Sashastra Seema Bal has alerted formations along the 1,751-km India-Nepal border and deployed 18 teams for relief and rescue operations. Additional NDRF and SDRF teams, boats and other resources will be sent wherever required.
The floods in Nepal originated in the Bhote Koshi River after a surge from the Tibet region. Rasuwa and Dhading, followed by Nuwakot and Chitwan, were among the affected districts. At least four permanent bridges and several temporary bridges were damaged, while around a dozen hydropower projects were also affected.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.