Stay indoors, says Muzaffarpur DM

MUZAFFARPUR: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Gandak, the Bagmati and their tributaries in Nepal and the bordering areas of India, Muzaffarpur district magistrate Alok Ranjan Ghosh on Thursday advised people residing in the vicinities of these rivers to stay indoors.
The flood situation continued to remain grim in Muzaffarpur due to the heavy rain in the catchment areas of Nepal and subsequent discharge of water into the Gandak river over the last couple of days.The Valmikinagar barrage has discharged 1,88,100 cusecs of water into the river over the last 24 hours.
Officials said a deluge-like situation prevails in Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks of the district. Floodwaters of the Burhi Gandak washed away 26 houses at Raghai village in Meenapur block. The Bagmati has added to the woes of people in already inundated Minapur and Kanti blocks. The Budhi Gandak has started inundating Bandra and Moroul blocks of the district.
Gandak project executive engineer Abrar Ahmed said the water level in the Burhi Gandak was constant prior to Wednesday. “Now, it has been showing rising trened once again, creating havoc in the low-lying areas of the town. The Budhi Gandak was flowing 15cm above the danger mark near Sikandarpur ghat on Thursday. People residing in the six municipal wards along the Budhi Gandak are facing imminent flood threat. The situation is similar in Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks, where the Bagmati and the Lakhandei rivers are wreaking havoc,” he said.