With rivers in spate, flood threat looms over low-­lying areas in Bihar

Discharge in the rivers originating from Nepal, like Kosi, Mahananda, Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Adhwara group of rivers was also rising following moderate to heavy rains in their catchment areas in last 24 hours in Bihar.

With river Ganga and some other rivers originating from Nepal flowing above the danger mark at several points and moderate to heavy rains lashing the catchment areas in last 24 hours, flood threat looms large over low-lying areas in the state.

A flooded diara area in Danapur, Bihar. (Parwaz Khan /HT PHOTO)

According to reports, floodwater has entered many low-lying areas of Bhagalpur, as Ganga was reported to be flowing 4 metre above the danger mark at Ghogha and 1.50 metre at Sultanganj. “People living in diara and low-lying areas have already been asked to shift to safer places with their cattle heads and essential belongings,” said a senior Bhagalpur district administration official.

River Ganga is reported to be flowing above the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna. “However, the situation is not alarming so far. Floodwater has started entering low-lying areas in five out of seven panchayats of Danapur diara, even as the road link to Bind Toli near Kurji has been snapped owing to rising water level,” said a senior official of the water resources department (WRD).

Besides, Bhutahi Balan river is also in spate and has crossed the danger mark at Dheng in Sitamarhi district, while Burhi Gandak was reported to be flowing above the danger level in Khagaria. Mahi river, a tributary of Ganga, has crossed the danger mark by 1.18 metre near Sitalpur of Saran.

Discharge in the rivers originating from Nepal, like Kosi, Mahananda, Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Adhwara group of rivers was also rising following moderate to heavy rains in their catchment areas in last 24 hours.

People move their belongings to a secure location as the increasing water level of Ganga river is creating a flood-like situation in Patna, Bihar. (Parwaz Khan /HT PHOTO)

A press communique from the WRD, however, claimed that flood situation was under control and all embankments were safe.

WRD minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh has already ruled out the possibility of any major flood threat in the state following the current spell of rains. and said there was no alarming discharge in the rivers originating from Nepal. Elaborate arrangements had been made to meet any eventuality, he said.

As a precautionary measure, the department has identified super-sensitive and sensitive areas on different embankments of major rivers and senior officials have been deputed there along with flood safety material and labourers to start operations in case of any emergency. “Anti-flood material includes sandbags, boulders, wire crates, geo bags, rope gabions and huge quantum of sand near super sensitive and sensitive spots to avert breach to embankments,” the minister added.