GG News Bureau
Patna, 29th Sept. The Bihar government has issued a flood alert for northern and central regions of the state following the release of 6.61 lakh cusecs of water from the Birpur barrage on the Kosi River, marking the highest discharge in 56 years. The Water Resources Department reported that the last time a larger discharge occurred was in 1968, with 7.88 lakh cusecs released.
The heavy water release may worsen conditions for over 16.28 lakh people across 13 districts already impacted by inundation caused by recent heavy rains. The situation is further aggravated by the release of 5.38 lakh cusecs of water from the Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak River, the highest since 2003.
Authorities have halted traffic near the Kosi barrage as a preventive measure, with embankments being monitored around the clock by teams from the Water Resources Department. The department has deployed engineers and officials to ensure prompt action if erosion or other dangers are detected.
“The water levels of the Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan, Mahananda, and Ganga rivers are rising steadily due to continuous rainfall over the last few days,” a senior official said. The heavy downpours in Nepal’s catchment areas have exacerbated the situation, causing several rivers to flow above danger levels.
Authorities in Nepal have also released 5.40 lakh cusecs of water into the Gandak barrage and 4.99 lakh cusecs into the Kosi barrage, worsening the flood risk for Bihar’s low-lying areas.
The excess water has already flooded parts of West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Araria, Supaul, Katihar, Purnea, and other districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain and warned of flash flood risks in several districts, including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, and Patna.
The state disaster management department has urged district administrations to stay on high alert and take necessary precautions. Nearly 13.5 lakh people in flood-affected areas along the Ganga, including Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, and Patna, have been displaced due to rising river levels. Many of those affected have been evacuated to relief camps, according to officials.
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