A flood alert has been issued in the wake of a massive landslide over Bhote Kosi, one of the major tributaries of the Kosi River, in Nepal. (Photo: AP)
The Bihar government has issued a flood alert in the northern districts of the state and evacuated thousands of people in the wake of a massive landslide in Nepal.
Here are the latest updates:
The government has evacuated 44,000 people living along the embankment of the Kosi River as a 10-metre high wall of water is expected to sweep down the river from Nepal soon, officials said. Over one lakh people are expected to be evacuated by today evening.
Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth has chaired three meetings of the National Crisis Management Committee to review the situation. The Centre has assured Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of every possible help, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
"The water level is rising but the situation is not alarming yet. We don't have a time-frame on when the flow will hit the affected areas," said Union minister and government spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Six army columns are being moved to the possible area of impact. A C17 military aircraft with medical teams is also on its way. A team of six experts have reached Nepal to assess the situation.
Eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF and four teams of the State Disaster Response Force or SDRF have been pressed into service.
The NDRF teams are carrying fibre boats and satellite phones to assist Bihar government officials. Food Corporation of India has been directed to store additional food grain to tide over the crisis.
The flood alert comes in the wake of a massive landslide over Bhote Kosi, one of the major tributaries of the Kosi River, in Nepal's Sindhupaul district.
"Bhote Kosi has been blocked due to an enormous landslide last night, damming the river and resulting in massive accumulation of water. The team will immediately inform us when the Nepal Army blasts the debris to free the river," said Vyasji, principal secretary of Bihar Disaster Management Department.
Air Force personnel and Navy's diving teams have been kept on stand-by to assist in relief operations. The state government has set up 117 relief camps.
The state government has put its personnel on alert and instructed them to evacuate 1.5 lakh people in eight districts -- Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Araria, Purnia and Madhubani.
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