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After the havoc of monsoon and floods in Bihar, now a new and serious threat has given sleepless nights to the disaster management department of the state. Flood waters have gradually started receding in many major rivers of the state, but this sharp drop in water level is bringing with it new signs of devastation and big dangers. Generally, people believe that receding flood waters is a matter of relief, but water resources and disaster management experts say that as the river water recedes, excessive pressure is created on the embankments, due to which the possibility of their sudden breakage or subsidence increases manifold. The administration has issued a high alert in the flood affected districts of the state and a strict vigil is being kept from the plains to the sensitive embankments so that any possible untoward incident can be dealt with in time.
#Why does the danger on embankments increase when the water level of rivers decreases?
There is a very scientific and geographical reason hidden behind the rapid receding of flood water and the danger looming over the dams. When the rivers are in spate and their water level reaches very high, the pressure of the water completely saturates the inner walls and soil of the embankments. After this, when suddenly the water in the rivers starts receding, the pressure of moisture in the wet soil inside the dam starts working outwards, due to which the possibility of the slopes of the embankments slipping, sinking or suddenly developing huge leaks in them increases a lot. In the language of engineers, this is called drawdown failure, which can prove to be very dangerous for any pucca or raw dam. Such technical problems have been seen earlier also during fluctuations in the water level of many major rivers of North Bihar like Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati and Kamla Balan, due to which this time the Water Resources Department has issued special guidelines regarding the process of lowering the water level.
#Special vigilance of administration and monitoring in sensitive areas
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, the Water Resources Department and Disaster Management Authority of Bihar Government have given strict instructions to the District Magistrates and flood control room engineers of all the concerned districts to remain alert 24 hours. To protect the sensitive and vulnerable embankments, special patrolling teams have been formed which are inspecting the embankments day and night. Wireless sets and modern communication mediums are being used to immediately send information about any possible leakage or erosion to higher authorities. Along with this, the stock of sand bags has already been kept in sufficient quantity at sensitive points so that if even slight erosion or leakage is noticed anywhere during the receding water level, it can be controlled immediately. People living in rural areas have also been warned to get the condition of the embankments checked by the local administration before returning to their old places immediately after the water recedes.
#Danger of water borne diseases and preparation of health department
With the depletion of river water, another big challenge arises in flood affected rural areas, which is the danger of spread of serious diseases. When flood waters recede, they leave behind huge amounts of silt, mud, debris and remains of dead organisms, causing a foul smell as well as the rapid spread of water-borne and vector-borne infections. To deal with this situation, the Health Department has also put in all its strength and has deployed medical teams in the villages of the affected districts. Chlorine tablets and ORS packets are being distributed to the people on a large scale so that the outbreak of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and skin diseases caused by water contamination can be stopped in time. Arrangements for fodder and vaccination are also being made for the animals so that the livestock can be protected from any epidemic after the waters recede.
#Assessment of farmers’ difficulties and crop losses
After the receding of flood water in Bihar, a new crisis has arisen before the farmers of the state. Paddy and other Kharif crops had already rotted on a large scale due to waterlogging in the fields, and now that the water is receding, the fertile soil of the fields has also been washed away with water or a layer of thick sand has settled on it. Agricultural experts say that in such a situation, farmers will not be able to sow the next crop immediately even if they want because the balance of moisture and nutrients in the soil has completely deteriorated. The state government has directed the Agriculture Department officials to assess the crop losses on a war footing so that appropriate compensation and relief amount can be provided to the affected farmers on time. Overall, even though the incidence of floods seems to be decreasing in Bihar, this period after the receding water remains a time of big and technical test for both the administration and the general public.