The flood situation in West Champaran’s Bairia block, Bihar, has reached a critical juncture due to escalating water levels in the Gandak River and severe soil erosion threatening vital embankments.
The erosion, particularly near Bettiah, poses a substantial risk of flooding to nearby villages, and despite repeated complaints from locals, the response from the Water Resources Department has deemed insufficient.
The rising water levels, driven by persistent rainfall in both Nepal and West Champaran, have intensified the Gandak River’s flow, with the water level at Dumaria Ghat just 2 cm shy of the danger mark at 62.20 meters.
Other rivers in the region, including the Kosi, Bagmati, and Burhi Gandak, are also flowing above critical levels in several locations.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department in Bettiah, assured that authorities are expediting anti-erosion measures.
“We are deploying sandbags along the Gandak River to combat soil erosion and protect the embankment. Our priority is to secure the embankment, and we will take action against any officials who fail to address villagers’ concerns,” Singh stated.
However, villagers argue that the current measures are inadequate.
RC Singh, a resident of Singhi Gram Panchayat, described the situation as dire, emphasizing that the sandbags placed so far have been insufficient to prevent further erosion.
“The gap between the river and the embankment is dangerously narrow. Villagers are growing increasingly anxious as conditions worsen, and immediate, more effective action is required to avert a disaster,” Singh said.
Rising River Levels Intensify Flood Threat
Rising levels in other major rivers are compounding the flood threat.
The Kosi River, in particular, is a major concern, flowing 44 cm above the danger level in Baltara block of Khagaria district at 34.29 meters, and 15 cm above the danger level in Kursela block of Katihar district at 30.15 meters.
Additionally, the Bagmati River in Benibad block of Muzaffarpur district has exceeded the danger mark by 2 cm, reaching 48.70 meters, while the Burhi Gandak River is 1 cm above the danger level at 36.59 meters in Khagaria City.
As the flood situation continues to deteriorate, the urgency for a comprehensive and effective response is paramount to prevent widespread devastation in the affected areas.
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