‘Rain exposes vulnerable points on embankments’

PATNA/BAGAHA: As the floodwaters from the Gandak have been receding and the water discharge through the Valmikinagar barrage has also fallen, it has provided an opportunity to the water resources department (WRD) to plug the breach, holes and seepage points in the embankments.
WRD minister Sanjay Kumar Jha told a section of media that the rainfall during the first fortnight of this month across the state has provided additional information about the likely vulnerable points on the embankments.While the state has 3,790km of embankments, the rain has shown which points need further strengthening, Jha said. The work on only those schemes stretch to June which get clearances in April, he said.
“The positive aspect of the recent rainfall across the state is that the department has got sufficient information on all the vulnerable points on the embankment,” Jha said.
The WRD officials said the forecast is that Nepal will receive light to moderate rainfall in the next few days, while people of north Bihar districts prone to floods have been asked to remain alert, as the rainfall will be in the range of 12.5mm to 62.5mm in the coming week.
Meanwhile, the locals in West Champaran district, including CPI(ML) MLA from Sikta Birnedra Gupta, asked the administration and WRD to get the seepage and breach points on the embankments and bandh in Piprasi circle plugged to avert further floods. A breached gap on abandoned Paniyahawa-Tamakuhi road rail line has remained unplugged.
Two community kitchens have opened at government primary school, Chakadahawa, under Bagaha-2 block, and at Shripatinagar village under Piparasi block for 300 flood victims. The crop damage is being assessed by the district agriculture officer, Bettiah.