Bhagalpur: Receding floodwater of Ganga triggered soil erosion near Mahadevpur Ghat in Raghopur diara area of Kharik block in Naugachhia sub-division on Friday night, damaging around 40-50 houses and causing subsidence along a stretch of the embankment. Four pucca houses were completely damaged, while 10 others developed cracks, officials said.The erosion affected an area spanning around 150 metres, including nearly 50 metres of the embankment, near an abandoned railway line. Residents of the affected houses were evacuated during the night, and their belongings, including livestock, were shifted to safer places.Bhagalpur district magistrate Alankrita Pandey, accompanied by senior district officials, inspected the affected area and reviewed the ongoing rescue and flood-control operations. She directed district and sub-divisional officials to expedite measures to prevent further erosion and strengthen vulnerable stretches of the embankment.The DM also inquired about the condition of flood-affected families and reviewed the rescue operations. She directed officials to continuously monitor the area and take prompt measures to protect residents and their belongings, including livestock.The DM said flood-control work was being carried out round the clock at the affected and vulnerable sites to prevent further erosion and minimise damage to life and property. The situation was under control, and no fresh erosion was reported on Sunday, she said.Teams of senior and junior engineers, along with technical personnel, have been deployed to monitor the situation and take measures to protect the embankment, she added.The district administration has made available adequate flood-fighting materials and rescue equipment at the site. Around 600 workers are working in shifts to contain the erosion and limit further damage, the DM said.Meanwhile, official sources said Ganga’s water level at Bhagalpur was below the danger mark and had fallen by around 12 cm in the preceding 24 hours. The situation was expected to improve over the next 24 hours, they added.krrajes2001@gmail.com
