Madhubani district has placed its flood-response machinery on alert after heavy rain in Nepal’s Terai region caused the Kosi river’s water level to rise, prompting officials to prepare relief camps, boats, embankment teams and emergency services. Authorities said the Kosi’s discharge from the Birpur barrage had begun declining and that there was currently no likelihood of a serious flood situation, but continued vigilance was necessary.
District magistrate Anand Sharma reviewed preparedness at a meeting with administrative, engineering, health and disaster-management officials on Saturday. He directed officials to keep relief and administrative arrangements ready in panchayats that could be affected by the river and ordered community kitchens and flood-relief camps to be prepared in advance.
Engineers responsible for flood control and embankment safety were instructed to remain mobile in the field with their assistant and junior engineers. Their responsibilities include continuous monitoring of embankments and protecting them against damage. The rural works department was also told to keep arrangements ready for immediate repairs to damaged or breached approach roads if flooding disrupts local connectivity.
The district administration separately directed the electricity department to maintain adequate manpower and resources to protect power supply during an emergency. Officials associated with the Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal drinking-water programme were asked to remain prepared to address water-supply problems quickly in affected areas.
Madhepur block has 87 boats available for emergency relief and rescue operations, including 37 private boats and 45 government boats. A State Disaster Response Force team has been fully deployed, while the district administration has kept 10 inflatable boats ready. Regional, sub-divisional, block and circle-level officials have been ordered to remain mobile and monitor conditions in their areas.
The preparedness plan also requires officials to identify vulnerable residents before an emergency develops. Pregnant and nursing women, children, elderly people and other residents needing assistance are to be mapped in advance, with transport and other arrangements kept ready for evacuation if required. Safe locations for distributing relief materials and rations have been identified in Madhepur block.
The administration advised residents not to visit riverine or waterlogged areas unnecessarily and to follow official instructions. Panchayat representatives were asked to keep residents informed and report emergencies immediately. The district administration said negligence or disobedience of orders during a disaster would be dealt with under Section 56 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The meeting was attended by additional collector for disaster management Santosh Kumar, district disaster management officer Rajneesh Kumar, the district agriculture officer, civil surgeon and executive engineers from the public health engineering and rural works departments at Jhanjharpur, among other officials. Authorities will continue monitoring rainfall, water levels and embankment conditions as the Kosi discharge remains under observation.
