By Adam Ali for TwoCircles.net,
Gopalganj: Bihar is among states worst affected by floods every year. In 2008 it was River Kosi that brought huge disaster to North-east Bihar, the role this year seems to be played by Gandak with the river flowing in West-north of the state has started causing havoc as bund breached two days ago in Gopalganj, endangering the life of lakhs of people in the district and neighboring Siwan and Chapra.
The Kosi flood brought disaster for thousands of people who lost their properties while several lakh were forced to leave their homes. Hundreds were washed away with the flooding river. The similar situation is feared this year in some districts of the state but this time it is Gandak River which is boiling.
The river breached Saran embankment by 10 feet on Thursday afternoon which affected many villages of several districts of the state. People were forced to shift to safer places. Though government management has fast made a stand-by embankment and at least 3000 workers are busy to save that, it is feared that if it is broken nearly 200 villages of Gopalganj and Chapra districts will be affected.
All photos by TCN
Meanwhile, the Water Resource Department and Disaster Management Department of Bihar government have issued red alert in Barauli and Baikunthpur in Gopalganj, Goriakothi and Basantpur of Siwan and Mashrakh and Baniapur of Chhapra as water level in the river is increasing. People are instructed to stay at higher places or shift to safe places. Eight teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent to the concerned districts to deal with any emergency situation. Flood relief materials have also been sent to the affected areas.
(The writer is journalist based in Gopalganj)