The Bihar Water Resources Department has directed district authorities and police to remain alert and take precautionary measures as the Ganga’s water level rose by 10 cm amid heavy rainfall, raising the risk of inundation in low-lying areas.
According to the department, the water level at the Gandhi Ghat gauge site in Patna was recorded at 50.53 metres at 10 am on Saturday, well above the danger mark of 48.60 metres.
The river is also flowing close to its highest flood level (HFL) of 50.52 metres, with officials warning that a new HFL could be established at the site.
“The forecast is that the Ganga water level at Gandhi Ghat is likely to rise further to 50.62 metres by 8 am on Sunday. People have been advised to exercise caution,” the department said.
District-level flood management teams have been instructed to maintain continuous patrolling in vulnerable areas.
The department has also asked all district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to take precautionary measures, alert people living on the river-facing side of embankments and ensure continuous patrolling by special teams to respond to flood emergencies.
Besides the Ganga, several other rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Punpun and Ghaghra, are also flowing above the danger mark amid heavy rainfall in Bihar and neighbouring Nepal.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and directed officials to identify affected families and ensure timely relief. He also ordered continuous monitoring of vulnerable stretches of the Ganga embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur to prevent erosion and breaches.
The government has deployed 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in flood-affected areas.
According to officials, several low-lying areas of Patna, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura, Saharsa and Katihar have been affected by the rising water levels.
