Bihar Battles Unprecedented Floods: Government on High Alert

Bihar faces severe flooding from heavy water discharge from Kosi Barrage. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha assures coordinated efforts with central government. Emergency teams on high alert, relief operations underway. Thousands affected in northern Bihar, power cuts reported. Residents express frustration over administration's response.

As Bihar grapples with severe flooding due to heavy water discharge from the Kosi Barrage in Birpur, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha assured on Monday that the state government is coordinating closely with the central government to address the crisis.

Deputy CM Sinha stated, "Such a situation has arisen after half a century. A massive 6,61,000 cusecs of water have been released. Bihar is facing this for the first time, but the government is on high alert and will mitigate the damage. The Bihar and central governments will tackle this together to ensure the safety of the people." Meanwhile, Disaster Management Minister Santosh Suman reviewed the situation at the State Emergency Operations Centre, confirming that emergency teams are on high alert.

"The entire teams of the Disaster Management Authority, SDRF, and NDRF are on alert mode in all flood-affected districts. Relief operations are in full swing, with many boats and boat ambulances deployed. Relief shelters are operational, and people are being evacuated," Suman said. Heavy rainfall in Nepal's catchment areas has led to rivers breaching danger levels, causing extensive flooding in northern Bihar and parts of Nepal.

Floodwaters released from the Kosi and Gandak barrages have devastated many areas. In Sitamarhi, a breach in the Mandar dam has exacerbated the situation, while 45,000 homes in Muzaffarpur are without power due to flooding at the Katra Bakuchi Power Grid. Officials have cut off power as a precaution, planning to restore it once waters recede. Sunil Kumar, an engineer, stated, "Water has entered the control room. For safety, power could be shut down anytime affecting approximately 42,000-43,000 consumers."

Residents have expressed their frustration with the local administration's response. "The administration is inactive; no one has come to see the situation," lamented a Muzaffarpur resident. In Supaul, the Kosi River's floodwaters have severely disrupted life. "Homes are waterlogged; I haven't seen floods like this since 1961. No assistance has come," said Joginder Mehta, a Supaul resident. Another resident added, "I've been here since 1980. Houses are breaking, and we're facing agricultural losses."

(With inputs from agencies.)