Bettiah: Several areas of West Champaran district were inundated after a record 4.75 lakh cusecs of water was released downstream from Gandak Barrage on Sunday. The district administration has intensified surveillance and strengthened relief and rescue measures in vulnerable areas.Low-lying localities in Bagaha town, including Kailash Nagar and Kalighat, along with villages such as Chakdahwa, Bin Toli and Jhandahwa Tola under Valmikinagar police station, were flooded following the heavy discharge.To assist affected residents, the administration has set up a community kitchen at Bherihari High School in Valmikinagar. Medical teams have also been put on alert to respond to any emergency.Acting on the directions of district magistrate Taranjot Singh, officials from the district to panchayat level have been conducting regular inspections in flood-hit areas.District transport officer Amit Raj inspected Semarbari panchayat in Bhitaha block, while senior deputy collector Ahmed Ali monitored the situation in Siswan Mangalpur and Chaumukha in Yogapatti. PGRO Masoom Ansari has been overseeing relief preparations in Mangalpur of Nautan block.With the possibility of further heavy discharge in Gandak, the administration has deployed specialised rescue teams across the district. A 30-member NDRF team equipped with four boats has been stationed in Bagaha-2. In addition, two SDRF teams comprising eight members each, along with four boats, have been deployed in the area.An eight-member rescue team with two boats has been positioned in Madhubani block, while another similar team has been kept on standby in Bettiah subdivision for emergency response.“The administration is continuously monitoring the water level and the situation arising from possible discharge. Rescue teams and necessary resources are ready to deal with any emergency. The safety of people is our priority and immediate relief and rescue operations will be undertaken whenever required,” Singh said.The district administration has appealed to residents living in riverine and flood-prone areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.
