Bettiah: Despite a ban on the operation of small and unregistered boats, residents of Bagaha and Valmikinagar in West Champaran district continue to cross the swellen Gandak river daily to reach their farms and livestock in the diara areas, risking their lives amid rising water levels.The administration issued an alert after the Gandak recorded a discharge of 1.64 lakh cusecs on Sunday evening, compared with 98,000 cusecs in the morning, prohibiting the operation of private and unregistered boats and advised people to stay away from the river.Naseeruddin Ansari, a resident of Kailashnagar, said private boats were operating from Kailashnagar, Narayanapur Ghat, Deendayal Nagar, Godiyapatti and Mangalpur despite the restrictions.“There was a bridge here years ago, but it was damaged and later collapsed. Only its pillars remain in the river. Boats have collided with these structures in the past, causing serious accidents and loss of life. Yet people have no option but to cross because of their livelihoods,” he said.Farmer Lorik Been said many families depend on land and livestock located across the river.“All our farming activities and cattle are in the diara. Crossing the river is a necessity. We use whichever boat is available. We don’t know which boats are registered and which are not. If we stop going there, how will we earn a living?” he said.Bagaha circle officer Wasim Akram said the administration had repeatedly appealed to people to avoid travelling in small boats in view of the rising water level.“Operation of small and unregistered boats has been prohibited. Public announcements have been made asking people not to cross the river in such boats. However, we have received information that some are still operating illegally. The matter will be investigated and action will be taken,” he said.Akram added that authorities would identify operators running unregistered boats and initiate action against them.
