Bihar News : Eight major rivers in Bihar are in spate, with a flood-like situation prevailing in around 13 districts, including Patna. The water level of the Ganga continues to rise, forcing people in several areas to leave their homes and take shelter along roadsides, community buildings and other safer locations.
The respective district administrations are closely monitoring the situation. Besides Patna, the Ganga has crossed the danger mark in Buxar, Munger and Bhagalpur. Bhojpur, Bettiah, Begusarai, Khagaria, Rohtas and Jehanabad are also among the districts affected by flooding.
Ganga, Punpun and Dardha Raise Concern in Patna
In view of the flood situation, the Disaster Management Department has issued an advisory and appealed to people to stay away from river ghats and embankments. The Ganga water level is rising rapidly at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna.
The Disaster Management Department has said that if the current rate of rise continues, the previous highest water-level record could be breached. To prevent Ganga water from entering the city, all 108 gates of the urban protection wall have been closed.
The District Magistrate, Municipal Commissioner and other officials inspected the city on Thursday evening. The rising levels of the Punpun and Dardha rivers have also increased pressure across southern and northern parts of the district.
At Sripalpur, the Punpun has reached 2.29 metres above the danger mark, while the Dardha at Kolhachak is 3.07 metres above the danger level.
Flood Situation Worsens in Mokama and Bakhtiyarpur
Janjira Diara in Mokama has been completely affected by the flood. Residents have taken shelter on school rooftops and moved to other elevated and safer locations.
Water has entered several low-lying houses in the diara panchayats of Bakhtiyarpur. Meanwhile, the rising Punpun and Dardha rivers have surrounded around three dozen villages, including Gaurichak market.
In Phulwari block, residents of Chihunt, Sakraicha, Mehmanpur, Bakpur and Tarapur, located close to the Punpun embankment, remained alert throughout the night and monitored the condition of the embankment and river.
Ganga Reaches 53.46 Metres at Maner
A discharge of 1,42,800 cusecs of water was recorded from the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar on Friday. According to the Water Resources Department’s 6 am report, the Ganga water level at Maner in Patna had reached 53.46 metres.
The water level at Maner remained at 53.46 metres at 6 pm, indicating no further rise during that period. The highest flood level at Maner is 53.79 metres, leaving the water level 33 centimetres below that mark.
According to available data from September 3, the water level at Maner rose from around 53.35 metres at 6 am to around 53.45 metres by 5 pm.
At Digha, the water level rose from 53.35 metres in the morning to 53.45 metres by 5 pm. At Gandhi Ghat, it remained between 51.58 and 51.63 metres. Water levels at all three locations are above the danger mark.
Ganga Rising Every Hour in Buxar
The flood situation in Buxar district is worsening. The Ganga water level is rising by around one to two centimetres every hour, with an increase of approximately 16 centimetres recorded over the past 24 hours.
Residents of Nainijor panchayat in Brahmapur are facing increasing difficulties. Ganga water has entered Dhabi and Gajadhar Dera, while Sajivan Dera has been surrounded by water from all sides.
Roads leading to around half a dozen villages have also been submerged.
Floodwater Spreads to Six Blocks in Bhojpur
The flood situation in Bhojpur district is deteriorating rapidly. While three blocks were initially affected, the impact has now spread to six blocks.
On Thursday, floodwater reached the old Ara-Buxar highway near Chowkipur and the Majhaua airstrip road in Ara, affecting movement.
For the second consecutive day, 62 schools and Anganwadi centres were closed as a safety measure. The Ganga water has taken a severe form in the district.
Munger and Bhagalpur Also Face Flood Crisis
In Munger district, a diversion built over the Mahane River near Barsanda in Tetia Bambar area was washed away. Rising water in the diara areas has forced residents to leave their homes.
In Bhagalpur, the flood crisis is deepening amid rising water levels in the Ganga and Kosi rivers. After damage to the Raghopur-Kajikoraiya embankment increased, the district administration intensified relief and rescue operations.
Authorities are continuously monitoring the affected areas. SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed, while boats, manpower and other essential resources have been made available.
Embankment Breach in Bhagalpur Extends to 400 Metres
The Ganga water level has remained above the danger mark since August 22. On the night of August 24, a breach in the Raghopur-Kajikoraiya embankment affected Raghopur panchayat in Kharik block.
So far, 62,698 disaster-affected people have been provided food. The Raghopur embankment-cum-railway tagging embankment had initially suffered damage over around 30 metres due to severe erosion and undermining.
After further damage on the morning of September 1, upstream and downstream erosion increased. The total length of the breach has now reached around 400 metres.
Water Level Begins to Recede in Parts of Rohtas
In several villages of Nauhatta, Rohtas, Tilouthu, Nasriganj and Dehri blocks in Rohtas district, the water level of the rivers has now started to recede.
On Friday, 17,036 cusecs of water was released from the Rihand reservoir and 29,005 cusecs from the Bhim Barrage. Water released from Madhya Pradesh’s Bansagar reservoir three days earlier is now reaching the Son River.
District Magistrate Deepak Kumar Mishra said the district administration was monitoring the water levels of the Son and other rivers. An assessment of flood damage is also being carried out, while SDRF teams have been deployed at various locations.
Water supply to the Son canals has been resumed. A discharge of 5,922 cusecs has been released into the Western Connector Canal.
