Bagmati River Embankments to be Elevated, Road to be Constructed: Vijay Kumar Chaudhary

Sitamarhi: Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary announced on Tuesday that the embankments of the Bagmati River will be raised and strengthened, and a road will be constructed atop them to mitigate flood risks and enhance transportation in the region. Chaudhary also revealed plans for a barrage at Dheng on the Bagmati River, which will reduce the impact of floods and provide improved irrigation facilities.

Speaking during his visit to the flood-affected villages of Tilak Tajpur, Nunaura (Runnisaidpur block), and Madhkaul (Belsand block) in Sitamarhi district, Chaudhary inspected multiple breach sites on both the left and right embankments of the Bagmati River. Traveling on a motorcycle via the embankment, he was accompanied by MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, MLA Pankaj Kumar Mishra, Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Malla, and several local representatives and officials.

After the inspection, Chaudhary addressed reporters, highlighting the severity of this year’s floods. “This year’s flood was historically severe, with the highest water levels ever recorded at various stations on the Bagmati River,” he said. Heavy rainfall in Nepal between 27 and 29 September caused an excessive inflow of water into rivers such as Koshi and Bagmati, leading to widespread flooding.

Despite the efforts of officials and engineers, who acted swiftly to mitigate major devastation, some areas still experienced significant flooding. Chaudhary assured that relief work is ongoing and that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed that flood-affected families will receive ₹7,000 in their bank accounts before Dussehra.

Chaudhary emphasized that the embankments will be elevated and widened to account for the new highest water levels recorded this year, particularly at the Dheng, Belsand, and Kataunjha gauge stations. He added that a road constructed along the embankments will not only protect the area from future floods but also provide an alternative transportation route.

Additionally, the proposed Dheng barrage will allow for better management of the Bagmati River’s water, reducing flood impacts and enhancing irrigation across a wide area. A study is also underway to improve water flow at the Kataunjha Bridge, and anti-erosion work on the embankments will be conducted wherever necessary.

Chaudhary also touched on the issue of silt accumulation in Bihar’s rivers, which has disrupted water flow. He reiterated the need for a National Silt Management Policy, a demand Bihar has been making since 2011. He expressed hope that the Central Government would expedite the policy’s formulation to ensure better river management.