With several aircraft on standby along with all other emergency assistance including diving teams of Indian navy, the Centre has assured Bihar government of all possible help in dealing with flood situation in Kosi river.
"Eight National Disaster Response Force teams have already been deployed and seven will soon be sent. Water level in Kosi river is rising … though it is not at an alarming rate, the situation remains
unpredictable," said Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday.
"Prime minister Narendra Modi has given clear instruction for rendering all possible help to Bihar government. The Centre's actions have been prompt and timely," said Prasad.
In 2008 too, Kosi had breached its embankments and subsequent floods had affected lakhs of people and the situation this time seems to be evoking similar fears.
Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth has already chaired three emergency meetings of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) since Saturday afternoon. Two meetings were held on Saturday. He is also in constant and direct touch with Bihar's chief secretary.
An official statement from central government explained that Nepalese Authorities have informed that the "flow of the river Sunkoshi/Bhotekoshi in Mangkha Village Development Committee area in Sindhupalchowk District (of Nepal) has been blocked on account of landslide".
"The formation of a large water body thereby can create a potential danger of inundation in areas downstream of the Kosi barrage which is about 270 Kms from location of the blockage. Bihar government has been put on alert. They have started taking action for evacuation of people living in villages lying within the embankment area in 22 panchayats of Supaul district and other 7 districts of Bihar. Relief camps including cattle relief camps are being organised for the evacuated families," the official statement added.
Also an assessment team comprising experts – two each from Central Water Commission CWC and from NDRF and one each from Indian Army and GSI – is in Nepal to make initial assessment and oversee the situation as an artificial dam created there on a Kosi tributary.
Around 4,25,000 people could be affected by the floods and authorities have already evacuated 44,000 across seven districts of Bihar. As many as 107 relief camps have been set up in addition to 30 cattle camps. "Central Water Commission is doing a computer simulation exercise to assess the likely impact of sudden release of water. Water discharge so far is not alarming. But it cannot be predicted when the flow might increase suddenly. CWC is issuing advisories," the statement added.
As many as eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 4 teams of the State Disaster Response Force have been pressed into service. An additional 7 teams of the NDRF are being mobilized from neighbouring state of West Bengal. Till evening, eight NDRF teams carrying boats, including fibre boats were already deployed and seven more were being deployed. Also five more teams were on standby.
The government has also pressed Indian Army and Indian Air Force into service. "One AN-32 Aircraft has reached Delhi from Agra to carry persons and communication equipment to Purnia. One more on standby at Agra. Two Mi-17 helicopters each standby at Gorakhpur, Bagdogra and Barrackpore. Two Chetaks and 4 MI-17 also moved to Bihta (near Patna). Naval diving teams in readiness.
For emergency medical assistance, another aircraft with nearly 20 doctors was also ready. NDRF teams are also carrying satellite phones for better communication facilities and 15 satellite phones were also given to the Bihar State authorities by central Government Saturday night. Meanwhile, department of space is also obtaining relevant satellite inputs and would start providing them from Monday. The Central government has also asked the food department to provide full assistance.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}