In Bihar, the Water Resource Department has issued a high alert for a flash flood as a large volume of water discharge is likely through Kosi and Gandak Barrages. It comes after extremely heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Kosi and Gandak rivers in Nepal. The Department has said more than six lakh cusecs of water discharge is expected downstream from Kosi and Gandak Barrages. It is likely to affect West Champaran, East Champaran, Saran, Gopalganj, Supaul, Saharsa, and other districts in the state. Talking to Akashvani News, District Magistrate of Supaul Kaushal Kumar said officials of the department have been alerted.
He said the district administration is alerting people in low-lying areas to shift to higher grounds. The principal secretary of the Water Resources Department Santosh Kumar Mall held a review meeting last evening in view of the rising situation. Mr Mall asked officials to remain vigilant and follow Standard Operating Procedures in view of the expected water discharge in Gandak and Kosi Basin. Leaves of engineering and other staff of the Water Resources Department have been cancelled.