Bihar, Centre on their toes despite a 24-hour respite

Around 70,000 people have been evacuated so far

The central and Bihar governments on Monday said the situation on the Kosi river in the state was “under control” and “normal” due to a 24-hour respite from the flood threat, and added that they were maintaining extraordinary preparedness to face any eventuality.

“There appears to be no imminent danger at present as the flow of the river Kosi is steady and there is no rise in the water level. However, a close vigil is being kept on the situation by the Central Water Commission and other agencies,” a home ministry spokesperson said.

The Central Water Commission is in touch with Nepalese authorities to get updates on the situation regarding the blockade and release of water at Jure on the Bhote Kosi, a tributary of the Kosi that was blocked by a landslide on Friday night. The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, met on Monday afternoon to review the situation. A video conference was held with the Bihar chief secretary and other state government officials.

The Centre is providing all possible help to the state government. Nineteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for rescue and relief operation. NDRF teams equipped with boats and flood rescue equipments are positioned at Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Khagaria, Madhubani and Darbhanga districts to provide assistance.

In addition, standby helicopters and cargo planes have been stationed at Purnea base for the movement of armed forces and composite teams. Fifteen diving teams of the Indian Navy are in a state of readiness at Visakhapatnam.

“In view of the situation, the focus would continue to be on the three districts of Supaul, Madhepura and Saharsa. Further action by the central and state governments would be taken based on any change in the situation,” the spokesperson said.

On the other hand, the state government is also making the best of efforts. Talking to reporters at Patna, state principal secretary to the Disaster Management Department Vyasji told reporters that at least 70,000 people and and 2,200 heads of cattle had been evacuated.

Vyasji said that in all, around 0.25 million people needed to be evacuated from the nine districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Khagaria, Araria, Madhubani, Bhagalpur, Purnia and Darbhanga as they face the risk of flood in case of sudden inflow of water from Nepal.

He said 128 relief camps for human beings and 32 cattle camps had been put up in the nine districts.

The state government has promulgated the Disaster Management Act under which, people could be forcibly shifted to safer places, he said.