NEW DELHI, Aug 27: The Centre has stepped up preparedness in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh following flash floods in Nepal, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking to the chief ministers of both states and assuring full assistance to vulnerable border districts.
Shah said local administrations and rescue agencies in areas that could be affected have been placed on high alert, while additional teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been kept ready to respond if conditions worsen.
The Home Minister also expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the disaster and said the Government of India stands with Nepal during the crisis.
Officials from the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Jal Shakti and Defence are jointly monitoring developments and coordinating preparedness measures.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), water levels at reservoirs on the Nepal side have started declining and the situation remains under control. Authorities have said there is currently no need for panic.
The flash flooding near the Nepal-China border caused a sharp increase in water levels in the Trishuli river at Furke Khola, about 160 km from the Indian border. The resulting flood wave is expected to move downstream towards the Gandak river system.
The NDRF has advised authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, particularly those located near the India-Nepal border along the Gandak, to maintain heightened vigilance and continuously monitor water levels.
The disaster response agency is coordinating with the two state governments and the CWC while keeping additional personnel on standby for any emergency arising from an unexpected change in the situation.
In Bihar, nine NDRF teams are currently deployed. Two of them have been sent to West Champaran and Muzaffarpur as a precautionary measure. The state government is closely assessing the situation and will deploy more teams if required.
Authorities are continuing to monitor developments on both sides of the border to ensure a swift response should the flood situation deteriorate.
