No immediate threat of flood in Kosi: Centre

New Delhi, Aug 4: There is no immediate threat of flood in the Kosi river but the central government is regularly monitoring the situation through the National Crisis Management Committee, a home ministry statement said Monday.

"In view of the steady release of water from the artificially pounded area on river Bhutakoshi in Nepal and the absence of any significant rainfall in the upstream region, there appears to be no immediate danger to the poundage area," the statement said.

It said that the water level at Bahrabise, Pachuwrghat, and Chatara in Nepal is below the danger level. Looking further at water level at Birpur, Basua, Baltara and Kursela on Indian side, it appears that there is no immediate threat of the floods in the Kosi river.

Meanwhile, the centre has promised to extend all possible help to the state government of Bihar to avert loss of lives in case of flood.

"In addition to the preparedness for the movement of Armed Forces and composite teams including standby helicopters and cargo planes at Purnea Base, 15 diving teams of the Indian Navy are in readiness at Vishakhapattanam. Nepalese Water Commission is in constant touch with Central Water Commission (CWC) and although there is no immediate cause for alarm in the near term, all steps are being taken for enhanced preparedness," the statement informed.

The Bihar administration too has taken precautionary measures so that a repeat of the Kosi disaster of 2008 does not happen.

The administration has evacuated 65,063 persons who have been sheltered in 128 camps. Another 2203 animals have been placed in 32 camps.

A secretary-level officer has been put as in-charge of each of the districts likely to be affected in case of flood.

A breach in Kosi embankment at Kushaha in Nepal in 2008 had caused one of the most devastating floods in Bihar.

IANS