Flood

A state that was already reeling under flood conditions- Bihar- witnessed its situation further worsening after the swollen Gandak River breached several embankments in Champaran, affecting thousands of people.
The breach occurred in West Champaran, where the river's water level reached a record high of 91.25 metres, following heavy rainfall in Nepal. This situation poses a significant flood risk to the surrounding low-lying areas, particularly impacting villages such as Khairtwa, Agastiya, and Chandrapur, PTI reported.
Local authorities are on high alert as the rising water levels threaten to inundate these villages. The Water Resources Department (WRD) reported that the embankments at two locations, Khairtwa in Bagaha-1 block and Phuliyakhad in Bairia, were damaged due to the excessive water discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage. As per PTI, emergency teams have been dispatched to assess the situation and carry out repairs.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is actively monitoring the flood response efforts in East Champaran and Gopalganj. He inspected the affected areas, on Monday, September 28, including Dumariaghat, and directed officials to remain vigilant in their flood-fighting operations.
"The situation is critical, and we must be prepared to respond effectively to protect our communities," said Choudhary during his visit, as per PTI.
The Gandak River's discharge has remained above 500,000 cusecs for an extended period, exacerbating the flood risk. Local reports indicate that 169 seepage points have been identified and repaired. However, the embankments continue to face immense pressure, necessitating continuous monitoring and immediate action.
The disaster management authorities have initiated evacuation plans for residents in at-risk areas. Currently, around 82,000 individuals across 23 gram panchayats in Supaul and West Champaran have been affected by the floods. Community kitchens have been established to provide meals to those displaced, with approximately 17,466 individuals receiving assistance.

Anticipating Further Challenges
As per PTI, Meteorological forecasts suggest that additional rainfall may occur in the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding. The Bihar government is coordinating with various agencies to manage the crisis and provide timely relief to those impacted by the floods.
(PTI Inputs)