Once again the danger of flood seems to be increasing in Muzaffarpur. The effect of rain in the Terai and catchment areas of Nepal has started becoming visible on the rivers of the district. A rapid rise in the water level of Bagmati river has been recorded, due to which there has been increased concern in the villages situated around the river. On the other hand, the administration has got some relief due to the decrease in the water level of Gandak river. However, in view of the rising water level of Bagmati and continuous rains in Nepal, the district administration has intensified its preparations and the flood control room has been activated.
The direct effect of the swelling of the Bagmati river is visible in the low-lying areas around the river. As the water level increases, the risk of water reaching fields and rural roads increases. Many areas of Muzaffarpur district are already known for their sensitivity to floods. In such a situation, if there is a sudden rise in the water level of the river, the administration has to immediately speed up relief and rescue preparations.
The effect of rain in Nepal is often visible on the rivers of Bihar. When there is heavy rain in the hilly and Terai areas of Nepal, the water in the catchment area of the rivers increases and its flow starts coming towards Bihar. Many rivers including Bagmati originate from Nepal and enter Bihar. Therefore, Bihar administration keeps a constant eye on the rain situation in Nepal.
After the increase in the water level of Bagmati in Muzaffarpur, the administration has increased surveillance. Officials have been instructed to constantly monitor the water level of the river. Information about water status is being collected from sensitive areas. The purpose of keeping the flood control room active is so that immediate action can be taken if information is received about a sudden rise in the water level or water reaching any area.
Information about river water level, condition of embankments and potentially affected areas is collected through the flood control room. Officers and employees of different departments are also instructed to remain alert. In case of any emergency, preparations are made to immediately activate relief and rescue teams.
The reduction in the water level of Gandak river is a news of relief for the administration. Due to the receding water of Gandak, the flood pressure in the areas related to it has reduced somewhat. However, despite the decrease in the water level of the river, the danger cannot be considered completely averted, because if the rains continue in Nepal and its surrounding catchment areas, the water level of the rivers may rise again.
Both Bagmati and Gandak rivers have great importance for Muzaffarpur. Many areas of the district are affected by changes in the water level of these rivers. There is continuous fluctuation in the river water during monsoon. Therefore, the administration has to keep an eye not only on the current water level but also on the possible changes in the next few hours and days.
After the rise in the water level of Bagmati, vigilance has increased in rural areas also. People living on the banks of the river are keeping an eye on the water situation. The concern of farmers working in the fields has also increased, because there is a danger of crops drowning if the water level rises too much. There is already a problem of waterlogging in many areas, in such a situation the problem can become more serious due to increase in river water.
Sensitive embankments and river bank areas are being monitored by the administration. Officials have been instructed to immediately inform in case of erosion or damage to the embankment at any place. The protection of embankments is the most important part of the flood control system, because as water pressure increases, the risk of erosion on weak parts increases.
In case of flood, the biggest challenge is the safety of people living in low-lying areas. The administration identifies such areas and makes preparations in advance. If needed, arrangements can be made to take people to safe places, provide boats and deliver relief materials. At present, the administration is trying to ensure that all necessary preparations are completed before the situation worsens.
People can also be appealed to be cautious amid the rising water level of Bagmati in Muzaffarpur. It is important to avoid going to the parts of the river with strong currents, not to allow children to go near the banks of the river and to follow the instructions issued by the administration. It is also important to immediately inform the local administration in case of sudden rise in water in rural areas.
Considering the rainy situation in Nepal, there may be further change in the water level of the river in the coming days. If there is less rain, the water level may remain stable or go down, while if there is continuous heavy rain, the water level in the rivers of Bihar can increase rapidly. Therefore, the administration is currently in alert mode keeping in mind any possibility.
Activation of the flood control room will help the administration to collect information received from different areas at one place and take immediate action. Monitoring of river water level, condition of embankments, information about affected villages and relief arrangements can be coordinated through such a control room.
It is natural for farmers to be worried about the rising waters of Bagmati. A large population in the rural areas of Muzaffarpur is dependent on agriculture. Paddy and other crops may get damaged due to flooding of fields. If water remains stagnant in the fields for a long time, it can lead to crop failure as well as impact on soil and agricultural activities.
Rural roads and link roads may also be affected if the water level in the river increases. Roads connecting many villages pass through low-lying areas. Traffic on these roads may become difficult when water rises. In such a situation, the administration has to pay attention to alternative routes and boat arrangements if needed.
It is also important for the administration to remain alert on the flood situation in Muzaffarpur because the problem of floods and water logging has already been seen in many areas of the district. The situation can change rapidly during the monsoon when large amounts of water arrive in a short period of time. With the rise in the water level of Bagmati, the monitoring of the administration has become even more important.
At present, there is relief in some areas due to decrease in the water level of Gandak, but the administration is keeping an eye on the situation of both the rivers. The threat to the entire district cannot be considered eliminated just because the water level of one river decreases. The water level of the river may then change depending on the rainfall conditions in Nepal and water coming from different catchment areas.
Administrative officials are trying to provide timely information to the people in case of any possible flood. For this, coordination between local authorities, water resources department and other concerned departments is necessary. Preparations are made at many levels, from monitoring the embankments to possible arrangements of relief camps.
If the water level of Bagmati continues to rise, relief and rescue operations may be required in the affected areas. In such a situation, arrangements for boats, motorboats, relief material, medical teams and essential medicines will be important. At present, the administration is keeping an eye on the situation and preparing to take necessary steps.
The most important thing for the local people is that they should not believe in rumors and only believe the information released by the administration. In situations like floods, misinformation can create unnecessary fear among people. At the same time, ignoring information about real danger can also be harmful. Therefore following administrative instructions is the safest option.
The rising water level of Bagmati has once again brought to the fore the direct link between Nepal's rainfall during monsoon and the rivers of Bihar. The effect of rain in Nepal is visible in the river areas of Bihar after some time. This is the reason why Bihar administration constantly keeps an eye on the information about Nepal's weather and river water level.
At present, the administration is keeping an eye on the situation in Muzaffarpur. The rising water level of Bagmati River is definitely a cause for concern, but the decreasing water level of Gandak River is giving some relief. With the flood control room active and officials in alert mode, swift action is expected in case of any emergency.
In the coming days, everyone will be keeping an eye on the rain situation in Nepal and then the water coming into the rivers of Bihar. If the rainy season becomes weak then the water level of Bagmati may also stagnate or go down. But in case the rains continue, the administration will have to take extra vigilance in the affected areas.
The biggest challenge at present in Muzaffarpur is to control the rising water level of Bagmati and keep the potentially affected areas safe. The administration has strengthened the monitoring system by activating the flood control room. There has been some relief from the decrease in the water level of Gandak, but considering the rains in Nepal, the danger has not been completely averted. In such a situation, the people living on the banks of the river as well as the administration will have to maintain complete vigilance in the coming days.