Bihar has been put on high alert as the danger of flood looming large in the Kosi belt along Bihar-Nepal border.

The move follows the discharge of 1.25 lakh cusecs of water after the Nepalese Army conducted two low-intensity blasts to partially remove the landslide debris blocking Bhote Kosi, one of the tributaries of Kosi.

AIR correspondent reports that the water level in the Koshi river in Bihar is rising slowly.

Disaster Management Department Special Secretary Anirudh Kumar told reporters in Patna that the latest estimates show 2.25 lakh persons living around Kosi in the state could be affected if the river swells drastically.

The state Disaster Management Department principal secretary Vyasji said the state government has put its personnel on alert and instructed the affected districts to make arrangements to evacuate people in Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Araria, Purnia, Madhubani districts.
Meanwhile, Army has deployed 500 personnel in Supaul, Madhepura and Saharsa districts and it will reach soon in other likely affected districts.

Indian Air Force will also keep choppers ready at the Chunapur (Purnia) and Patna airbases. As many as 15 satellite phones have also been provided, including to the DMs and SPs concerned, as part of communications.