Flood-induced erosion wreaks havoc in Panchmile

TEZPUR, July 25 – After inundation of a large area in greater Panchmile area by flash floods followingt incessant rains during the last one week, both flood and erosion have posed a serious problem to the residents of the greater area.

People of the area have expressed their strong resentment over the government’s apathy towards the problem, creating a serious threat to more than 25 villages under Sootea, Rangapara and Tezpur LACs including Salonibari Air Force Station, one of India’s most important SSB training centres, Tezpur University and many public properties including schools, madrassas, bridges and so on.

It may be mentioned that the greater area has been facing the serious problem of flood-induced erosion created by Jiabharali river since 1988 and same year the Garshinga Bihiagaon and Tengabasti falling under the greater area were completely washed away by the floodwater of Jiabharali River. In 2000, the same problem was witnessed at Panchmile channel (Panchmile Khuti) where heavy erosion was occurred and many public properties like, Panchmile Higher Secondary School, Panchmile High and ME Madrassas, Panchmile Mahila Samittee hall, Panchmile rest house and a temple had been eroded.

In the same way, the devastating flood and erosion caused by Jiabharali river has been on in Rajgarh, Singitoli, Jothaimari, Borghat, Rajbhoral, Dikoraijan, Kurukani, Samdhora, Tengabasti, Koroini, Saloibeel, Bihiagaon, Garshinga-Bihiagaon area and in a part of Bhumuraguri Hillock where the Koliabhumura bridge exists.

Raed in detail at :- http://cdrn.org.in/show.detail.asp?id=22209

Floods affect over 3 lakh in Bihar; state-wide flood alert sounded

Floods affect over 3 lakh in Bihar; state-wide flood alert sounded

All major rivers in northern Bihar were flowing above the danger mark on Thursday, with flood-waters affecting more than three lakh people, officials said.

Flood-waters spread to areas in Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Araria, East and West Champaran and Saharsa districts, officials of the state disaster management department said.

"Flood situation remained unchanged since Wedneday," an official of the state water resources development department said.

The Bihar government has sounded a state-wide flood alert.

Bihar Water Resources Development Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said a National Disaster Response Team is camping in Saharsa with four boats.

Rail traffic on the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul section was suspended after floodwaters submerged railway tracks.

The Kosi is posing a threat to its eastern embankment. The Gandak was threatening a newly-built embankment in Gopalganj district, a disaster management department official said.

Authorities have asked thousands of people to shift following the rising water levels of the Kosi. The state government has asked engineers and district officials to keep a 24-hour vigil on the water levels.

Choudhary said the eastern Kosi embankment was totally safe.

In 2008, over three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar with the Kosi river changed course, causing the worst flood in the state in the last 50 years.

According to the water resources department, a lot of water has been discharged into the Kosi in the last one week.