A fibreglass reinforced plastic motorboat on the premises of the disaster management office in Darbhanga. Picture by Mohan Mahato

Darbhanga, June 21: The state government has undertaken various measures to counter the adverse effects of flood this year. So has the district administration here.

It is making arrangement for 936 boats. Of them, 703 would be private boats and 133 state-owned. Around 100 boats are being built.

The administration has also made arrangements for two big fibreglass reinforced plastic motorboats. One such motorboat has been given to Biroul sub-division. Another fibreglass rain-forced motorboat has been kept on the premises of the district disaster management office. All of them would be pressed into service in case of flood.

At present, the district administration has 133 boats, including 62 big boats and 71 small ones.

Boats come very handy in rescuing people from flood-hit areas. Motorboats are more effective than the normal boats.

The district administration has become extra cautious after the rain in the state over the past five days. Some parts of Bengal and Jharkhand have been flooded.

It is in the process of buying two big nets (maha jaal), said sources. They would be used to rescue people in case they are swept away by floodwater.

The administration has also made arrangements of 15,295 polythene pieces. Of them, 8,000 polythene pieces have been distributed in different blocks of the district. The remaining 7,295 polythene pieces have been stored at the district headquarters, sources said.

The administration, for rescue operation, has made an arrangement of 174 life jackets out which 123 life jackets were distributed to sub-divisions and blocks and 51 life jackets have been kept in store at the district headquarters.

Chandra Kishore Mandal, the additional collector of the disaster management department, told The Telegraph: “Around 26 non-government organisations have been trained at a three-day camp at the district headquarters so that they can help in carrying out relief operation in case flood hits the district.”

Mandal said medicines for snakebites and dog bites have been given to the primary health centres and referral hospitals across the district.

He said: “The arrangements of medicines have been done keeping in mind patients who come for treatment during flood.”

Snakebites are common during floods. They often enter flooded houses and bite their occupants.

Mandal said: “Out of 18 blocks, eight in Darbhanga are flood-prone.”

He said: “Two blocks — Kusheshwar Asthan east and west — go completely under water in times of flood. Hanuman Nagar, Haya Ghat, Biroul, Ghanshayampur, Kirakpur and Jalley block get partially affected.”

The administration has appointed homeguards, junior engineers and assistant engineers for taking care of 228.68km-long embankment so that it is not damaged in any case of a natural calamity.

The sources said 271 raised platforms have been identified for rehabilitation in case flood hits the district. As many as 103 raised places have been earmarked for landing helicopter in case of emergency so that relief work can be carried out.

Around 23,000 quintals of food is stored at various blocks of the district, the sources added.