Devastating Bihar Floods: Kosi and Bagmati River Embankments Breached
The flood situation in Bihar has taken a turn for the worse as embankments of the Kosi river in Darbhanga district and Bagmati river in Sitamarhi were breached, causing widespread inundation and displacement of residents. The Kosi river breached its embankment near Kartarpur block, leading to the flooding of Kirtarpur and Ghanshyampur villages in Darbhanga. Additionally, seepage was reported in the embankment of the Bagmati river in Runni Saidpur block in Sitamarhi district.
The state water resources and disaster management departments have been working tirelessly to address the escalating crisis. Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary assured the public that despite the fresh embankment breaches, the situation is under control and there is no need to panic. He reported that six incidents of embankment breaches have been documented across the state, with repairs already underway for some and ongoing efforts for the rest.
Relief Efforts and Assistance
To combat the gravity of the flood situation in north Bihar, additional teams of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDRF) from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Ranchi in Jharkhand are being deployed. These teams will supplement the existing 12 NDRF teams and 22 State Disaster Management Authority (SDRF) teams already engaged in relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected districts. Despite water levels receding in some smaller rivers, over 16 lakh people have been impacted by the deluge, highlighting the urgent need for continued support and assistance.
Impact and Response
The embankment breaches have led to significant inundation in various areas, including Valmiki Tiger Reserve, due to excessive water pressure in rivers like the Bagmati and Gandak. Officials have been monitoring the situation closely, with reports of water flowing above embankments in Valmikinagar and Kiratpur in Darbhanga. However, there has been a glimmer of hope as water levels in several rivers have started receding, providing some relief to the affected communities.
Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary emphasized that no casualties have been reported thus far in Bihar due to the flood, underscoring the importance of swift and effective response efforts. The government’s focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in the face of this natural disaster.
In the midst of the ongoing crisis, it is imperative for authorities to coordinate closely with relief agencies and mobilize resources efficiently to address the needs of those impacted by the floods. The resilience and solidarity of the people of Bihar will be crucial in overcoming this challenging period and rebuilding their communities in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
