New Delhi: Due to the flash floods in Nepal, high alert has also been declared in the border states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In the wake of this terrible natural disaster, India has intensified flood preparedness measures along the Nepal border.
Emergency measures are being taken, including evacuating people from dangerous areas along the banks of the Gandak river to safer places. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and assured all possible assistance from the Center to deal with the emergency situation that may arise due to the rise in water level in the rivers.
The National Disaster Response Force has been mobilized in Bihar to deal with all kinds of emergencies. All divisions of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) along the 1,751 km international border of India-Nepal have been asked to be on high alert. 18 teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
In Bihar, special vigil has been ordered in flood-prone districts including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali and Sitamarhi and Shehar. All 36 gates of the Gandak river barrage at Valmikinagar have been opened to control the situation.
The water level of the Narayani river at Devghat in Nepal is 4.77 metres (the danger level is 9 metres). If the water level rises further in Nepal, it is expected to reach the Gandak barrage in about 3-5 hours.
Uttar Pradesh on alert:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed concern over the flood situation in Nepal and has directed Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts to take all necessary precautionary measures. As the water level of the Gandak river is rising, water is likely to flow through the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system, and District Magistrate Gaurav Singh Sogarwal has directed to maintain 24-hour surveillance.
With several border districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh likely to be affected by floods due to rivers flowing from Nepal, the administrations of both the states are monitoring the situation very closely.