5 days ago
Bihar Flood Threat Grows as Rivers Swell After Nepal Floods
Heavy rain and a flash flood in Nepal caused several rivers flowing into Bihar to rise.
The rivers include the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak.
Some rivers reached levels that officials consider dangerous.
Authorities opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage to release excess water.
About 1.02 lakh cusecs had been released by Friday evening.
Officials in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh began watching the rivers closely.
People in some low-lying areas were moved to safer places.
Rescue teams and district officials were placed on alert.
The articles give different figures for Nepal’s losses, including deaths and missing people.
Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak rivers rose after flash floods and continuous rainfall in Nepal.
Authorities opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage and released about 1.02 lakh cusecs of water by Friday evening.
The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak and Ghaghra rivers reached or exceeded danger levels at several Bihar locations.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh increased monitoring, while officials, embankment teams, the NDRF and SDRF prepared for emergencies.
Reports differed on Nepal’s losses, citing at least 826 people missing in one account and at least 547 deaths in another.
- Who
- Residents and administrations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Nepalese disaster authorities, and Indian disaster-response teams.
- What
- Rising river levels created a flood threat in Bihar after flash floods and heavy rainfall in Nepal.
- Where
- Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India, downstream from affected areas in Nepal; the Gandak Barrage is in Valmiki Nagar.
- When
- The rivers were rising by Friday following recent rainfall and flash floods in Nepal.
- Why
- An ice-rock landslide blocked a river near Nepal’s border with China, while continuous rainfall increased downstream water flows.
Key facts
- Main rivers rising
- Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak
- Gandak Barrage action
- All 36 gates were opened
- Water released
- About 1.02 lakh cusecs by 5 pm Friday
- Rivers above danger levels
- Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak and Ghaghra at several Bihar locations
- Reported locations
- Gopalganj; Khagaria, Katihar and Kursela; Patna; Bhagalpur; and Darauli in Siwan
- Emergency response
- District Magistrates, water-resources officials, the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force were put on alert
- Nepal losses
- One article cited at least 826 people missing; another cited at least 547 deaths
Quotes
Senior official of the Bihar Water Resources Department
A senior official responsible for monitoring Bihar’s water resources
“The water levels of several rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Burhi Gandak, have been rising following continuous rainfall in their catchment areas in Nepal. The rivers have touched or crossed the danger level at several places in the bordering districts.”
m.rediff.com
thehansindia.com
“Teams of the Water Resources Department at the Gandak barrage are on alert. Officers have been directed to ensure regular inspection of the river embankments, maintain a round-the-clock vigil and make all preparations for a possible emergency.”
rediff.com
Sources
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