Centre says water discharge from Kosi river is not alarming, but flow may ... - Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Centre in its latest update on the Kosi flood situation on Sunday said that the water discharge from the river was so far "not alarming". However, the Centre said it cannot be predicted when the flow might increase suddenly.

Keeping the unpredictability of the water flow in mind, it therefore asked the Bihar administration to "speed up" the evacuation process. The state has till now evacuated over 44,000 people living in the area between the river and its embankments in different districts.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) is, meanwhile, doing a computer simulation exercise to assess the likely impact of the sudden release of water. The department of space will, on the other hand, obtain relevant satellite inputs and start providing them to the state authorities from Monday.

These inputs will help the local authorities and rescue teams in their ongoing evacuation exercise.

The Centre released its update after meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee, chaired by the cabinet secretary Ajit Seth.

An assessment team of six experts from CWC, NDRF, Indian Army and Geological Survey of India has reached Nepal where landslide created an artificial dam there on the river Kosi tributary which sparked fears of flood in nine districts along the river in Bihar.

Speaking about the current situation, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been deployed and seven will soon be sent.

Villagers moving to safer places due to the danger to Kosi's embankments after heavy flow of water into the river from Nepal's side in Supaul, Bihar. (PTI photo)

He said water level in Kosi river was rising, but it was at an alarming rate. The situation, however, remained unpredictable, he added.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over Kosi flood situation in Bihar and directed that all possible assistance should be made available", said Prasad.

Flood-hit people from villages in eastern Kosi embankment leave their cattle in a corner of Kosi river near Mahasetu in Bihar. (TOI photo by KM Sharma)

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