Bihar: No rise in Kosi water level; 70,000 evacuated to safety

The government on Monday said so far there is no rise in the water level of river Kosi and there is no imminent danger but all precautionary measures are in place to deal with any eventuality.

More than 70,000 people, who may be affected in case of floods in Kosi, have been evacuated to safety camps.

The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, met Monday afternoon to review the situation of the impending rise in water level in Kosi due to a landslide and blockade upstream in Nepal.

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A video conference was held with the chief secretary of Bihar and other state government officials.

"There appears to be no imminent danger at present as the flow of the river Kosi is steady and there is no rise in the water level. However, a close vigil is being kept on the situation by the Central Water Commission and other agencies," a Union home ministry spokesperson said.

The Centre is providing all possible help to the state government. 19 teams of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for rescue and relief operation.

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In addition to the preparedness for the movement of armed forces and composite teams including standby helicopters and cargo planes at Purnea Base, 15 diving teams of the Indian Navy are in readiness at Vishakhapattanam.

The Central Water Commission is in touch with the Nepalese authorities to get updates on the situation regarding the blockade and release of water from Nepal to India.

Bihar government has informed that about 70,000 people and 2,200 cattle heads have been evacuated to safety camps.

"In view of the situation, the focus would continue on the three districts of Sapaul, Madhepura and Saharsa. Further action by the central and state governments would be taken based on any change in the situation," the spokesperson said.

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The NDRF teams have been mobilised to provide immediate support to the local administration to cope with the situation arising out of the floods threat in Bihar.

NDRF teams equipped with boats and other flood rescue equipments are prepositioned at Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Khagaria, Madhubani and Drabhanga districts to provide immediate response.