Bihar floods force hundreds to abandon village homes

Hundreds of people in Bihar have been forced to abandon their homes as flood waters entered almost 100 villages and rising levels of most rivers threatened to inundate many others, officials said on Saturday. Districts of Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Purnia, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura and Bagaha were affected, officials said. "Water entered these villages after levels rose in all the major rivers following heavy rains in the state and the catchment areas of Nepal," a water resource department official said. According to the Central Water Commission, the water level in major rivers Kosi, Mahananda, Gandak, Budhi Gandak, and Bagmati has increased since Friday. Kosi and Bagmati are flowing above danger mark at some places. "All the rivers are in full spate following heavy rains. Some rivers may cross the red mark late [today]," an official said. Officials said after two consecutive years of drought, the fear of floods is back in Bihar with incessant rains and heavy water discharge into the Kosi river from Nepal. However, Bihar Water Resources Development Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said all embankments were safe and there was no need to panic. "The government is fully ready to face any eventuality if water level in rivers create threat," he told IANS. Choudhary said the government has taken full preparatory measures to protect embankments, but said several villages in flood-prone districts face threats due to the increased water levels. Reports suggest the authorities have asked hundreds of people to move to safer places following the rising water level of the Kosi. The state government has asked engineers and district officials to keep a 24-hour vigil. From / Gulf News