The severe erosion of Ganga river that has been going on for the last four days in Raghopur village under Ismailpur-Bihpur embankment of the district has finally stopped.
After the nearly 100 years old historical Chaiti Durga temple was completely absorbed into the Ganga, the river at that site has calmed down, due to which the local villagers have heaved a sigh of relief.
However, this sigh of relief did not last long, because now the Ganga has started eroding at a new place towards the Zamindari Dam. In view of this, the villagers have demanded to start flood fighting work on war footing.
After hard work done day and night by the engineers and administration team of the Water Resources Department, the ‘edge’ work has been completed at the affected site, due to which the erosion moving towards the main population has stopped. But the real challenge has now arisen before the administration.
Experts say that as soon as the water level of Ganga starts falling, the pressure on the embankments will increase further. At present, the old railway line of the British era (which has now taken the form of a dam) is working as a protective shield to save the village of Raghopur.
But new streams of the river have now started cutting the lower parts of this dam. Villagers say that if this dam is damaged, the entire Raghopur village and surrounding areas will be submerged.
For this reason, villagers are continuously demanding flood fighting and boulder crating at new places also. According to administrative officials, the situation is being monitored through drone cameras.
In anti-erosion work, hundreds of youth and tractors from neighboring districts like Khagaria, Purnia, Katihar and Gopalpur are continuously engaged in delivering geo bags and boulders.
The district administration has warned people living in sensitive areas to remain alert and has also activated the system of relief camps and community kitchens if needed.