Nepal floods impact Bihar: West Champaran villages inundated after Gandak Barrage release

Floodwaters entered several lowlying areas of Biharrsquos West Champaran district after around 180000 cusecs of water was released from the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage following devastating floods in neighbouring NepalResidents of Chakdahwa and nearby villages reported severe difficulties travelling through the flooded areas with people having to wade through water for nearly three kilometresLocals also highlighted poor road conditions lack of electricity and prolonged infrastructurerelated problems that continue to affect the region IANS reportedMain road submerged under five feet of waterFollowing the release of around 164000 cusecs of water from the Gandak Barrage the main road connecting Chakdaha Jhautala and Bintoli in Bagaha2 has been submerged under nearly five feet of waterAround 3000 people depend on this route and surrounding facilities for their daily needs including access to medical treatment Residents said the flooding has made even essential travel extremely difficult during the rainy seasonResidents struggle to access medical careAnju Kumari a resident of the area said she had travelled to Bhedihari for a doctors appointment for her oneyearold child and was returning to her village ChakdahwaDescribing the difficulties faced by residents every monsoon she said We have to walk through water throughout the entire rainy season It is a huge problem but what can we doShe appealed to the government to improve connectivity in the areaThe government should build a road she said reported IANSVillagers forced to wade through floodwatersSuraj Kumar a resident of Chak Dawa also described the situation as extremely difficult for villagers who have to use the flooded routeThe situation is very bad It is a threekilometre journey to the city The road is good but there are many problems We walk through water up to our necks he said the news agency reportedAnother resident Haslim Gaddi said the problem has persisted for years with villagers continuing to struggle due to inadequate roads and the absence of proper lightingThe situation is very bad We travel three kilometres through water Neither is the road good nor is there any lighting No one pays heed to our problems We have been facing this problem for years Gaddi saidWildlife threat adds to villagersrsquo concernsSohail Ansari said residents are forced to cross deep water during the rainy season while also facing the additional danger posed by wildlife as the area falls within the Valmiki Tiger ReserveThe situation is very bad We have to cross the water We have to travel through six feet of water for three months Being part of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve there is also a constant fear of animals Ansari said reported IANSOver 5000 people shifted to safer areasMeanwhile as a precautionary measure the district administration has shifted more than 5000 people living in vulnerable and lowlying areas to safer locationsThe flood situation is also being closely monitored in other vulnerable districts of Bihar where authorities have made necessary arrangements to deal with emergencies arising from rising water levelsThe Bihar government has appealed to residents to remain alert and follow official instructions Authorities have also urged people not to panic and to avoid spreading or believing rumours during the ongoing flood situationWith IANS inputs