Bihar floods: 16 districts hit hard as Nepal releases more water due to heavy rain
Bihar’s flood crisis worsens as 16 districts are hit by record water release from Nepal, causing breaches and submerging villages. Relief efforts underway.
Bihar floods have created a critical situation as several districts are facing swelling waters, and reports of embankment breaches have already come in at seven locations. Despite the severe conditions, State Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has reassured residents that there is no need for panic.
Minister Chaudhary explained that the Kosi River has breached its embankment near Kartarpur, submerging the villages of Kirtarpur and Ghanshyampur in Darbhanga late Sunday evening. He confirmed that a total of seven embankment breaches have been recorded statewide, primarily caused by the release of over 10.5 lakh cusecs of water from Nepal, which has experienced its heaviest rainfall in 56 years.
“All rivers of north Bihar received unprecedented flow of water due to 60 hours of rainfall in Nepal two days ago. This led to the breach of all previous records of highest water level (HFL). For the first time, the water level in Kosi also rose above Birpur barrage,” Chaudhary stated.
According to the Hindustan Times, the flooded districts are West and East Champaran, Araria, Kishanganj, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Siwan, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saran, and Saharsa. While water levels in smaller rivers are beginning to recede, the situation remains dire for many affected communities, although no fatalities have been reported so far.
The authorities have suspended traffic near the barrage in response to the historic discharge of 6.61 lakh cusecs from the Birpur barrage on the Kosi River. This has been done in order to ensure public safety. Significant water release has also been reported from the Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak River, which since 2003, had recorded its highest 5.62 lakh cusecs.
There have been growing concerns of breaches in the embankment of the Bagmati River at Madhkaul village in Sitamarhi, alongside damage to the left bank embankment of Gandak River in West Champaran. Officials have warned that these breaches are allowing floodwaters to encroach into the Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
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