As water levels of several rivers rise, Bihar govt asks officials to remain alert

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Bihar government on Thursday directed officials to remain alert as water levels of several rivers in the state were rising. The situation was grim in north Bihar as a number of rivers, including the Sone, Gandak, Punpun, Bagmati and Ganga, were either flowing above their danger levels or were nearing the danger mark, officials said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inspected the situation near JP Setu in Patna where the water level of Ganga was rising.

He asked the district administration to remain in a state of preparedness to tackle the situation if the water level crossed the danger mark. The CM also travelled along Atal Path and JP Ganga Path to take stock of the situation up to Gandhi Ghat. The water level of Ganga at Gandhi Ghat on Thursday reached 48.54 metres, which was .06 cm below the danger level.

Ganga was flowing just below the danger mark at Hathidah, Munger, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon, officials said. The Patna Meteorological Centre predicted light to moderate rain in most parts of the state over the next two days. In Muzaffarpur, the rising water level of the Bagmati river flooded many villages.

At least 16 panchayat areas have been cut off from the district headquarters as the temporary bridge in Katra has been closed as the water is flowing over the bridge, officials said. «Officials have been directed to provide immediate relief to the flood victims in Katra and surrounding areas,» said Gyan Prakash, the sub-divisional magistrate of Muzaffarpur (East). Gandak was flowing 0.35 cm above the danger mark near Sidhwalia in Gopalganj, and Koshi was flowing 0.33 cm above the danger level at Baltara in Khagaria district, officials said.