By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inspected the Raghopur embankment in Naugachia, Bhagalpur, and later chaired a review meeting on flood preparedness, relief and rescue operations in Begusarai, Munger and Khagaria districts. The meeting was held at the Dinkar Guest House on the IOC campus in Begusarai. The district magistrates of the three districts gave detailed presentations on the prevailing flood situation, administrative preparedness and relief operations.
Begusarai District Magistrate Richi Pandey, Munger District Magistrate Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar and Khagaria District Magistrate Vikram Veerkar briefed the Chief Minister on the Ganga’s water level, flood-affected panchayats and urban local bodies, availability of boats, relief camps, community kitchens, medical arrangements and preparedness for the safety of embankments.
The Chief Minister directed officials to increase the number of community kitchens in flood-affected areas according to requirements and ensure that they remain operational round the clock. District administrations were also asked to interact with elected representatives every day through meetings or video conferences to obtain updates on the flood situation and local problems.
Samrat Choudhary directed ministers in charge and principal secretaries of the respective districts to continuously camp in their assigned districts, monitor the flood situation and provide necessary guidance to officials.
He also ordered the deployment of mobile medical teams in flood-affected areas and the provision of boat ambulances in diara regions. Medical camps should be organised wherever necessary to conduct health check-ups among affected residents.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that all flood-affected farmers receive benefits under the crop insurance scheme and that no eligible farmer is deprived of assistance.
In coordination with the Disaster Management Department, officials were instructed to use large boats deployed for bridge construction, wherever required, to evacuate people to safer locations and transport relief material to affected communities.
He stressed that every possible assistance and relief should be provided to people in flood-hit areas in accordance with standard operating procedures, while adequate security arrangements should be maintained.
Samrat Choudhary also directed officials to continuously monitor river water levels and immediately begin relief and rescue operations in affected areas according to the situation. Special attention should be paid to the average depth of hand pumps installed around community kitchens and relief camps to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
He directed officials to ensure that all protective embankments and zamindari bunds remain in good condition and that embankments and sluice gates are continuously monitored. Adequate arrangements should be kept ready for emergencies, including boats, life jackets, motorboats, relief and rescue teams, polythene sheets, anti-erosion materials and other essential resources.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for relief camps and community kitchens, as well as the packaging and distribution of dry ration and food packets.
Speaking to reporters, Samrat Choudhary said the water level of the Ganga had been rising continuously at several locations. Around 2 million cusecs of water was being discharged into the Ganga, while 500,000 cusecs was being released into the Sone. He said the administration was fully alert and all possible facilities were being provided to people.
He said that work had also begun towards finding permanent solutions to problems caused by floods. Just as measures had been taken to reduce damage caused by the Kosi and Gandak rivers, necessary steps would also be taken to minimise damage from the Ganga.
The Chief Minister said the Ganga embankments would be strengthened and properly maintained. In several places, the Ganga water was spreading across stretches of nearly 20 kilometres, and ring bunds and new stretches of embankments would be constructed wherever necessary to contain the spread.
Earlier, during his inspection of the Raghopur embankment in Naugachia, Bhagalpur, the Chief Minister reviewed anti-erosion measures being undertaken at the site. He sought detailed information from officials about erosion along the embankment and the measures being taken to prevent further damage.
Choudhary also interacted with local residents during the inspection and sought their views on the condition of the embankment and erosion. He said the district administration and Water Resources Department had done commendable work to prevent further damage, providing relief to local residents.
Press release and photograph: Bihar Government
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