Flood threat in West Champaran and Gopalganj.

Flood threat in West Champaran and Gopalganj.

Patna July 7: Flood threats are looming large over the heads of villagers in the West Champaran and Gopalganj districts following heavy rain in Nepal.

The rising water of the Gandak River has entered forest zones M-29 and M-30 of the Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bagaha, putting both human populations and wildlife at risk.

Additionally, the Gandak River’s waters have inundated the Bairagi and Sonversa Panchayats, prompting authorities to advise residents to move to safer locations.

Such a situation arose after the Water Resource Department released 4.28 lakh cusecs of water from the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage on Saturday night.

According to an official of the Water Resource Department, the water level in the Narayani River in Nepal, which is connected to the Gandak River, suddenly rose to 5.71 lakh cusecs Dev Ghat in Nepal. Consequently, all 36 gates of the barrage were opened on Saturday night to release the pressure of the water.

“The water level in the Narayani River suddenly increased due to heavy rain at Dev Ghat in Nepal, which is located upstream from the Valmiki Nagar Barrage. The water reached Valmiki Nagar in 6 hours. The water level reached 5.71 lakh cusecs at Dev Ghat, and hence we opened all 36 gates of the barrage. A total of 4.28 lakh cusecs of water was released here,” said Nawal Kishore Bharti, Superintending Engineer of Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage.

“The Water Resource Department, along with the district administration, is on high alert and keeping an eye on all embankments,” Bharti added.

The district administrations of West Champaran and Gopalganj are using loudspeakers to inform people about the flood situation and have advised them to move to higher places.

The meteorological department has predicted heavy rain in the Madhubani, Supaul, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria districts of North Bihar.

EOM.