Patna, Aug 4 (IANS): The threat of devastating floods in Kosi region of Bihar reduced Monday after Nepal decided not to conduct any blast to clear the blockage at the mouth of Bhote Kosi, a tributary of Kosi river, caused by deadly landslide, officials said.
"It has come as a big relief for people in eight or nine districts of Kosi region," Vyasji, principal secretary of Disaster Management Department (DMD), said here.
He told media persons here that the state government received information from Nepal through the central government that Nepal would not conduct any blast for the next 24 hours to remove the blockage.
Vyasji (one name) said another positive development was that water level in the blocked Bhote Kosi was falling by three inches every hour, according to the report of Central Water Commission of Nepal.
"Threat of devastating floods has come down now thanks to controlled blasts by Nepal and slow release of water," he said.
According to him, high alert will continue in Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura districts and relief camps will continue there. Earlier, the government had sounded high alert in nine districts.
More than 70,000 people have been evacuated till Monday evening following the rise in the water level of Kosi river, Vyasji said.
Anirudh Kumar, an official of the disaster management department, said some people were resisting to leave their houses and move to safer areas. "The local officials are trying to persuade them to reach the safer places," said Anirudh Kumar.
Over 1,500 personnel of the NDRF, 500 army-men and 400 personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to help in the evacuation, Kumar said.
He said that 32 camps for livestock of villagers were being run.