CM Nitish Kumar inspected the Valmiki Nagar barrage.

CM Nitish Kumar inspected the Valmiki Nagar barrage.

Patna July 8: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspected the Valmiki Nagar Gandak barrage on Monday and gave necessary instructions to officers to implement preventive measures against flooding.

The monsoon is active in Nepal and North Bihar, leading to increased water levels in several rivers, including Narayani in Nepal, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi, Masan, Kamla Balan, and others.

On Sunday, the water resource department released 4.40 lakh cusecs of water from the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage, resulting in floods in many low-lying areas of Bagaha and the Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve.

If heavy rains persist in the water-acquisition areas of Nepal, there will likely be a significant rise in the water level of the Gandak River, causing further flooding in various low-lying areas.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also inspected the Gandak Barrage Control Room and gathered information on various issues regarding floods from the officers.

He inspected the water level at gate number 5 of the barrage and subsequently visited the guest house and the new International Convention Center.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accompanied by Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected Gopalganj, East Champaran, and West Champaran districts before reaching the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage.

In addition to Nitish Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary, several other officials were present, including the additional chief secretary of disaster management Pratyay Amrit, water resource department additional chief secretary Chaitanya Prasad, principal secretary to the chief minister Deepak Kumar, and the district magistrate and SP of West Champaran district.

He also took a review meeting with officials from the water resource and disaster management departments, Kumar emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of embankments, the availability of boats, and the distribution of food packets, polythene sheets, and fodder for cattle.

He also directed the officers of the water resource department, disaster management and district administration to keep a close watch on the flood situation. The district magistrate has been given special instruction for it.

Torrential rains over the past week have already led to floodwaters entering residential areas in several districts, forcing residents of low-lying areas to seek refuge in higher places.

EOM.