FLOOD THREAT IN BIHAR AS GLACIAL LAKE BURST IN TIBET

FLOOD THREAT IN BIHAR AS GLACIAL LAKE BURST IN TIBET

26-AUG-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------A major natural event occurred in Tibet this morning. At 9:00 AM, a glacial lake outburst in the Tibetan region triggered a surge of approximately 3 meters in the Bhote-Koshi River. Originating in Tibet, the Bhote-Koshi River joins the Trishuli River in Nepal, which subsequently becomes the Gandak River upon entering Bihar.

This event raises the possibility of an unexpected rise in the water level of the Gandak River.

According to the Water Resources Department, a discharge of 86,000 cusecs was recorded at the Gandak Barrage in Valmikinagar at 12:00 PM today, with a trend indicating a further rise. The current water level at the Devghat gauge site on the Narayani River in Nepal stands at 4.77 meters, whereas the danger mark is 9.00 meters and the warning level is 7.30 meters. It will take approximately 3.5 hours for the rising water from Devghat to reach the Gandak Barrage.

Exercising immediate vigilance, the Water Resources Department has opened all 36 gates of the Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage. A technical team led by a Superintending Engineer has been dispatched from headquarters to the barrage, and warning alerts have been issued to all districts within the Gandak basin. The Chief Secretary of Bihar held a meeting with all concerned District Magistrates and directed that announcements be made via public address systems to relocate people living within the embankments to safe locations. NDRF and SDRF teams are being deployed to potentially affected areas.

The Chief Minister of Bihar reviewed the situation in a meeting with the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary of Disaster Management, and the Secretary of the Water Resources Department, issuing instructions to remain on 'high alert.' Intensive inspections of flood-relief material stockpiles and embankments are being carried out.