Patna: Bihar was placed on high alert on Wednesday amid fears of a sudden rise in Gandak river’s water discharge after flash floods devastated several districts in neighbouring Nepal along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani-Gandak river system.The Bihar govt opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar to regulate the flow and reduce flood risk downstream. The Bhote Koshi, which originates in Tibet, is an upper tributary feeding the Trishuli system, which flows into the Narayani and later into the Gandak basin.Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary and assured all possible assistance from the Centre in case the flood situation worsens, an official said. Choudhary also held a review meeting with chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit and senior officials to assess preparedness.A communique from the chief minister’s office said all departments and district administrations concerned had been directed to remain on high alert, take timely preventive measures and maintain continuous vigil.Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the water resources department portfolio, said around 86,000 cusecs of water was discharged from the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar around noon, with the trend indicating a further rise.“The WRD has taken immediate precautionary measures. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar have been opened, and a technical team led by a superintending engineer has been deployed at the barrage. Warnings have also been issued to all districts in the Gandak river basin,” he said.WRD officials said opening all barrage gates would facilitate the flow of water and help control the flood situation.The Narayani river at the Devghat gauge site in Nepal was recorded at 4.77 metres, below the warning level of 7.30 metres and the danger level of 9 metres. Officials said if the river level rises further, the surge is expected to reach the Gandak Barrage in around 3.5 hours.Deputy CM said Bihar needed to remain alert for the next five to six hours and throughout the night. He said the situation was more serious than before but under control. He appealed to people to remain alert and not panic, adding that the chief minister was personally monitoring developments. He also said there was no report of a rise in the Kosi river’s water level.The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed nine teams across Bihar after heavy rainfall and flash floods in Nepal raised the threat of flooding downstream. NDRF commandant Hitender Pal Singh Kandari said teams had already been pre-positioned in flood-prone areas as part of monsoon preparedness, while additional teams were moved to vulnerable locations.A review meeting chaired by the chief secretary was held with district magistrates and senior police officials of the districts located in Gandak and Burhi Gandak basin. District authorities were told to complete rescue and relief preparations and closely track conditions.Special vigilance was ordered in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Sheohar. Officials were asked to monitor the Gandak and other rivers, embankments, low-lying areas, bridges and vulnerable points, and alert local communities in time.
