Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Sep 12: The flood situation in Bihar remained grim on Friday, with more than 47.33 lakh people affected across 15 districts as the Ganga and several of its tributaries continued to flow above danger levels.
Rising water levels have triggered erosion at several places and caused breaches in embankments, prompting authorities to intensify relief, rescue and monitoring operations. At least four embankment breaches were reported in different parts of Bhagalpur district. While some have been repaired, restoration and reinforcement work is continuing at other locations.
A breach at the Brahmottar Dam in Gopalpur block was brought under control overnight with the assistance of a technical team from the Water Resources Department and local residents, according to the district administration.
Another breach was reported at the Dhobania Zamindari Dam in Rangra block, where around 20 feet of the embankment eroded at about 4.30 am. Floodwaters entered the area alongside PWD Road No. 14.
Authorities have initiated protective measures, including bamboo piling, sandbagging and the use of plastic sheets to contain the situation and prevent further damage. Breaches were also reported at Dhobania Dam on the Kalbalia River in Rangra Chowk and at Budhiya Dam, part of the Sadopur ring embankment in Bania Baisi panchayat.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Water Resources Department portfolio, directed officials to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of embankments and remain prepared to respond to vulnerable spots.
Choudhary said the Ganga's water level at Gandhi Ghat in Patna had crossed the previous maximum recorded level of 2016 and continued to rise. He attributed the rise primarily to unexpectedly high discharge in the Son and Ghaghra rivers.
While the Son is now receding and the Ghaghra has stabilised, the situation is expected to improve over the next 24 hours, he said. Personnel have been deployed at vulnerable locations and all possible steps are being taken to prevent floodwaters from entering residential areas.
Several major rivers in Bihar are currently flowing above their respective danger levels. The Disaster Management Department said the Ganga at Sultan Ganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.62 metres at 6 am, 2.12 metres above the danger level, though the water level there was receding.
The Gandak was above the danger mark at Dumriya Ghat, while the Kosi was above the danger level at Baltara and Kursela. The Burhi Gandak was also above the danger mark at Khagaria.
The Ganga was above the danger level at several locations, including Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger. The Punpun was above the danger mark at Sripalpur, while the Bagmati was above the danger level at Benibad. The Ghaghra was also above the danger mark at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan.
The worst-affected districts include Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar. The state government has stepped up relief measures as thousands of residents continue to face the impact of the flooding.
A total of 1,221 community kitchens are operating across various districts to provide food to affected people. Fifteen relief camps are also functioning, providing accommodation, food, medical assistance and other essential services to 12,260 flood victims.
Authorities have distributed around 3.13 lakh polythene sheets and 48,400 dry-ration packets among affected residents. As many as 1,876 boats are currently being used for evacuation and transportation, while the government has distributed 10,823 quintals of animal fodder in the affected areas.
The state has also deployed specialised rescue teams. According to the Disaster Management Department, 27 State Disaster Response Force teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force teams have been positioned across different districts for immediate relief and rescue operations.
The deployment is aimed at ensuring a quick response to emergencies, particularly in areas facing embankment damage, rising river levels and the risk of floodwaters entering residential settlements.
The flood situation has been compounded by above-normal rainfall. Bihar has received 104.1 mm of rainfall in September so far, around 27 per cent above normal, officials said.
The state Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at some places over the next two days, with heavy rainfall also possible at one or two locations.