World Famous Buddhist Stupa In Bihar Waterlogged, May Suffer Damages

Reports from Motihari said scores of villages are said to be reeling under the effect of floods.

The world famous Buddhist stupa at Kesariya in east Champaran district, about 120 km from Bihar's capital Patna, is heavily waterlogged. Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Gandak in Nepal over a 24-hour period has resulted in fresh flood threat in the lower reaches of the river in north Bihar districts. Reports from Motihari said scores of villages are said to be reeling under the effect of floods. The stupa, among the nationally protected monuments in Bihar and regarded as the largest in the world, is a big draw with tourists. It is feared that the monument may suffer damage. The tourist inflow too has been hit because of water around the structure. Pictures show that the entire structure is surrounded by water and has turned into a veritable swimming pool. It was the same situation last year.