UP Flood Alert: Gandak River Pressure Breaks Embankment, Several Villages Hit By Rising Water

UP: Due to the rising water level and strong pressure of the Badi Gandak river, about 20 feet of the AP embankment broke late on Monday night in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. As soon as the embankment broke at around 10:30 pm in front of Tatwa Toli of Jawahin Dayal village of Sewrahi area, the river water started spreading rapidly in the surrounding areas. According to initial information, a population of about 20 thousand in more than six villages has been affected by this incident.

As soon as information about the incident was received, the administration intensified relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took information about the situation from the officials late in the night and gave instructions to take the affected people to safe places.

How did AP embankment break and how many villages were affected?

Due to the rising water level of Badi Gandak river, there was pressure on the AP embankment since Sunday night. After receiving information about leakage in the embankment in front of Gauraha village of Jawahi, the administration, flood division officials and local villagers conducted a rescue operation throughout the night.

Geobags and boulders were installed to stop the leak, but the situation worsened on Monday. The danger deepened after erosion pressure increased on the embankment near Birvat. Late at around 10.30 pm, a part of the embankment broke and the water started moving rapidly towards the nearby villages.

The impact of flood has been seen in many villages including Gauraha, Siswa, Baghachaur, Bakkhas, Chainpatti, Aavpur and Bhagwanpur.

Was there already water leakage in the embankment?

Amid the rising water level of Badi Gandak River, water seepage was already being reported in many parts of the AP embankment. The concern of the administration and the villagers had increased due to seepage appearing at about five to six places between Chainpatti and Birvat Konhavaliya.

According to the villagers, with the rise in the water level of the river, the water pressure on the embankment was continuously increasing. Vulnerable areas were being continuously monitored and geobags and boulders were being used for protection.

What instructions did Chief Minister Yogi give to the officials?

As soon as the information about the embankment breach was received, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took information about the situation from the officials late in the night. He obtained information about the entire situation from senior officials of Gorakhpur division and the District Magistrate of Kushinagar.

The Chief Minister directed to immediately shift the affected villagers to safe places and intensify relief operations. He also directed NDRF and SDRF to be deployed in relief work along with teams related to disaster management.

What is being done now to save the embankment?

After the embankment breach, the district administration and flood division teams are camping at the spot. With the help of officials and employees, efforts are underway to control the broken portion and keep the remaining part of the embankment safe.

Geobags and boulders are being installed at weak places. The priority of the administration is to control the spread of water along with saving other sensitive parts of the embankment.

Can the risk of flood increase in other villages also?

The area between 3,500 and 5,500 kilometers of AP Dam was already said to be sensitive. In such a situation, after the breach of the embankment, the administration faces a big challenge to stop the spread of water and keep other vulnerable parts safe.

Administration teams are continuously monitoring the situation. In case of increase in the water level of the river and the pressure on the embankment, there is a possibility of floodwater reaching other nearby villages also. Therefore, monitoring and relief operations are continuing in the affected areas.