Bihar stops evacuation after flood threat abates

The Bihar government Tuesday stopped forcible evacuation of people after the flood threat in the state abated, an official said Tuesday.

"People living between the embankments or danger zone of Kosi river will not be evacuated forcibly any more in view of less chance of an impending catastrophe in the region. We have decided to stop evacuation for now," Vyasji (one name), principal secretary of Disaster Management Department (DMD), said here.

He said it has also been decided to allow the people who have been shifted to relief camps to return. "We are allowing them to return to their homes," he said.

"It is true that the fear of floods is still there. But since Nepal decided not to conduct any blast to clear the blockade that was caused by a landslide at the mouth of Bhote Kosi, a tributary of Kosi river, and opted for regulated water discharge, the threat has reduced," he said.

He said since the flood threat in four districts - Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Madhubani - in the lower reaches no longer exists, the government has decided to close relief camps in these districts.

Vyasji, however, said high alert will continue in Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura districts and relief camps continue there.