Flood and Erosion Crisis Deepens in Saharsa Following Rains in Nepal's Terai Region and Water Release from Kosi Barrage; Over Two Dozen Villages Encircled in Salkhua, Mahishi, and Navhatta Blocks
Bhagalpur, Chief Correspondent: In several districts of Bihar, the fury of nature and monsoon rains are once again wreaking havoc like a calamity. Following continuous heavy rainfall in the Terai regions of neighboring Nepal, the water levels of North Bihar's major rivers have surged dramatically. In particular, with the water level of the Kosi River nearing the danger mark and massive quantities of water being released from the Kosi Barrage, the crisis of floods and severe soil erosion has deepened in the coastal areas of Saharsa district. Over two dozen villages across Salkhua, Mahishi, and Navhatta blocks of the district have been completely engulfed by floodwaters, throwing normal life out of gear and leaving residents breathless with anxiety.
Record Rise in Kosi River Water Level, Panic Grips Following Water Release from Barrage
According to reports received from the Water Resources Department, due to continuous heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Barahkshetra in Nepal and its surroundings, the discharge of the Kosi River has rapidly surged past two hundred thousand cusecs. Following this exorbitant rise in water level, several gates of the Kosi Barrage have been opened, creating tremendous water pressure in the plains. With the Kosi assuming a ferocious form, floodwaters have started spilling into low-lying areas across Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, and Darbhanga. The situation is turning most alarming in Saharsa district, where water has entered villages situated within the embankments.
Situation Worsens in Salkhua Block: Several Villages Encircled on All Sides
Due to the continuously rising water level of the Kosi River, the flood situation remains most critical in the Salkhua block. Here, the river water is flowing above the danger mark, causing villages like Khajurbanna, Tajpur, Kabirpur, Ghormaha, Kharhoria, Ranginiya, Reharwa, Dengrahi, Siswa, Brahmatol, and Saunthi to be completely surrounded by water on all sides.
Road Connectivity Severed: Traffic has come to a complete standstill after floodwaters overflowed onto the main road of Sahuriya village in Chanan Panchayat and the Khajurbanna-Saunthi road.
Water Enters Schools: With water entering the premises and rooms of the newly created Primary School Khajurbanna located in Samharkhurd Panchayat, children's education has been completely disrupted. Residents living in low-lying areas are now compelled to migrate toward safer locations and high embankments.
Scene of Devastation in Mahishi and Navhatta Blocks as Well
Just like Salkhua, Kosi's floods have started wreaking destruction in the Mahishi and Navhatta blocks too. Water has reached the roads and courtyards of residential houses in several villages of Mahishi block, leaving 'boats' as the only remaining means of transportation. Villagers are forced to rely on boats for daily chores and bringing essential supplies.
Meanwhile, the situation is no less terrifying in Navhatta block. Here, due to the intense water pressure of the Kosi River, a paved road built under the Chief Minister Rural Road Scheme connecting Rasalpur to Govindpur Chahi has broken apart. With the road washed away, connectivity of about 10 villages with the block headquarters has been completely severed, causing severe hardships for local residents.
Heavy Damage to Crops and Mounting Woes for Livestock Owners
This sudden flood has broken the backbone of farmers. As water spreads across the low-lying areas of Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Salkhua, lush green paddy crops and paddy nurseries in the fields are on the verge of submergence. Months of hard work by farmers are seen sinking underwater. Furthermore, a severe crisis of fodder (livestock feed) has arisen for cattle owners, as no land is left for grazing due to water accumulation on all sides.
Villagers' Outrage and Demands for Administrative Assistance
Resentment prevails among affected villagers due to the lack of administrative aid and delayed distribution of relief materials. Displaced and victimized families have demanded that the district administration immediately deploy government boats, distribute polythene sheets (tarpaulins), and arrange for adequate dry rations and drinking water.
Administrative Vigilance and Monitoring of the Situation
However, the district administration and disaster management department claim they are closely monitoring the situation. Patrolling along sensitive embankments has been stepped up, and local officials have been placed on high alert to tackle any emergency situation immediately.
Rains in Nepal's Terai region and water released from the Kosi Barrage have robbed thousands of residents in Saharsa's Salkhua, Mahishi, and Navhatta blocks of their sleep. The pain of this recurrent devastating flood is nothing new for the local inhabitants, but every time it inflicts heavy damage on their lives and livelihoods. The need of the hour is for the administration to execute rescue and relief operations on a war footing so that people can be safely evacuated in time and rescued from this tragedy.
