New Delhi: Bihar has been placed on high alert as the water level of the Ganga continues to rise, raising fears of flooding in several parts of the state.
Eight districts Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad have been asked to remain prepared.
The administration has directed officials to alert people living in low-lying and vulnerable areas. Public representatives, media, social media and public announcement systems are also being used to spread flood-related information.
Patna remains a major concern as the Ganga continues to rise. According to the Water Resources Department, the river may cross its Highest Flood Level (HFL) at Gandhi Ghat on Thursday night. At Hathidah in Mokama, it is expected to cross the HFL around Friday afternoon.
Ganga 1.65 metres above danger mark in Patna
At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga’s water level was recorded at 49.40 metres on September 1 morning. It rose to 49.98 metres by September 2 evening and reached 50.18 metres on September 3 morning. By Thursday afternoon, it had climbed further to 50.25 metres.
The river is now flowing around 1.65 metres above the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited the Ganga riverfront to review the situation and inspect the safety of embankments. He directed officials to complete preparations in advance and remain on alert.
Safe shelters, food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies are being arranged in vulnerable areas. SDRF and NDRF teams will assist in rescue and evacuation operations if needed.
Tejashwi Yadav targets NDA government
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav attacked the NDA government, claiming that several rivers, including the Ganga, Son, Punpun, Gandak, Bagmati and Kosi, are flowing above the danger mark.
He alleged that more than 15 districts are affected and claimed that the government had failed to make adequate preparations for flood prevention and relief.
Yadav also said crops in diara areas had been damaged, while water had entered homes, roads, schools and fields. He demanded that the government immediately declare affected diara regions as flood-hit.
CM to conduct aerial survey today
The Disaster Management Department has asked people to avoid unnecessary visits to the river, ghats, embankments and low-lying areas. Children, elderly people and persons with disabilities have been advised to stay away from waterlogged locations.
People have also been warned against swimming, unnecessary boat travel and taking selfies near the swollen river.
CM Samrat Choudhary is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of flood-affected areas at 1 pm on Friday, followed by a high-level review meeting at 2 pm to assess river levels, embankment safety and relief preparedness.
