Bihar on red alert following breach of Kosi barrage
19 Aug 2008, 1141 Hrs

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Patna, Aug 19 (ANI): Following a breach in the Kosi barrage in Nepal, a red alert has been sounded in Supaul, Madhepura and Araria districts of Bihar.

A 12 km stream of the Kosi barrage in Nepal territory has developed breach at two places. The barrage is maintained by the Bihar Government's Water Resources Development Department in Biratnagar. Cooperation has been sought from Nepal.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to talk to the Nepal Government. Mukherjee assured him of Central Government assistance, sources said.

Bihar's Irrigation Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said that the State Government is geared up to fight the possible floods.

Pratyaya Amrit, Secretary, Disaster Management Department said the department is fully prepared to carry out the relief work.

The Kosi barrage has a capacity to store 9.5 lakh cusecs of water and has 56 sluice gates. (ANI)