Madhubani: In view of excessive rainfall in Nepal’s Terai region and a consequential rise in the water level of the Kosi river, a meeting of concerned officials was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of district magistrate Anand Sharma.The district magistrate reviewed flood preparedness and the overall state of disaster management arrangements.He directed all officials to remain fully alert and keep every necessary preparation in readiness. Administrative and relief arrangements in panchayats potentially affected by the Kosi are to be kept complete. Community kitchens and flood-relief camps must be prepared in advance so that relief can be provided without delay should flooding occur.Executive engineers responsible for flood control and embankment safety were instructed to remain mobile in the field with their assistant and junior engineers, ensuring continuous monitoring and protection of embankments. The rural works department was told to keep arrangements ready for immediate repair of damaged or breached approach roads. The electricity department was directed to remain prepared with adequate manpower and resources to maintain uninterrupted power supply, while the department concerned with the Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal scheme was asked to be ready to resolve drinking-water problems swiftly.In Madhepur block, 87 boats (37 private and 45 govt) are available for emergency relief and rescue work, along with a fully deployed SDRF team and 10 inflatable boats held by the district administration. All regional officers, sub-divisional officers, block development officers and circle-level officials have been ordered to remain mobile in their areas, monitor the situation closely and stay alert.Particular attention is to be given to identifying vulnerable groups—pregnant and nursing women, children, the elderly and other needy persons—in advance, with transport and other arrangements ready to move them to safety if required. Safe sites for distribution of relief materials and rations in Madhepur block have also been earmarked.According to the latest information from the Kosi Barrage at Birpur, discharge of the Kosi has been declining steadily since Saturday morning. At present, there is no likelihood of a serious flood situation. Nevertheless, in view of rainfall and water levels in Nepal’s Terai, officials and the public have been advised to remain vigilant.The district magistrate appealed to the public not to visit riverine or waterlogged areas unnecessarily and to follow official guidelines.Panchayat representatives were urged to keep residents alert and report any emergency to the administration at once. Any negligence or disobedience of orders in a disaster situation will be dealt with strictly under Section 56 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.Among those present were additional collector (disaster management) Santosh Kumar, district disaster management officer Rajneesh Kumar, district agriculture officer, civil surgeon, and executive engineers of the public health engineering and rural works departments at Jhanjharpur, along with other concerned officers and engineers.
