Around 40,000 people of three dozen panchayats in Katihar district have been affected by a breach in Madheli link embankment due to heavy pressure of the swollen Ganga and Kosi rivers. Flood water entered through the breach in Madheli link embankment in three dozen panchayats of five blocks, District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), Akshay Ranjan said.
“Around 40,000 people have been affected by the flood waters”, he said, adding, “People affected from the breach in the link embankment have been asked to leave their villages and go to higher places”. The blocks affected from the breach are — Sameli, Kursela, Falka, Barari and Kodha.
“Those affected by the breach in the link embankment have been evacuated and have taken shelter in relief camps,” Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Vyasji said. Vyasji said no flood waters entered Katihar town through the breach.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed in the affected areas, Disaster Management Department officials said.
NDRF personnel have evacuated 31 people from Belia and Baghmara areas which have been affected by the floods, he said. Due to increase in the water level of River Ganga, flood waters have entered into ward numbers 1, 6, 8 and 9 of Manihari Nagar Panchayat of the district, Manihari Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Arun Singh said.
Besides, ferry services between Manihari and Sahebganj (in Jharkhand) has also been stopped due to increase in water level of Ganga, the SDO added.