This year, devotees would not be able to perform Chhath rituals on the banks of Budhi Gandak, a hotspot among puja observers.

The district administration has taken the decision because the river is in spate and it would not be safe to allow people to go near the 4km-long bank.

The announcement has come much to the chagrin of the devotees. “I would miss the arghya at Budhi Gandak. The bank gives a very clear view of the sunset and the sunrise,” said Balughat resident Rupa Singh.

Arghya is offered to the setting sun on the first day and to the rising sun on the concluding day of the festival. This year, Chhath would be observed on October 29 and 30. Notwithstanding the residents’ disappointment, the district administration has started preparations for making alternative arrangements so that devotees could perform the rituals without any problem.

District magistrate Anupam Kumar told The Telegraph that he has asked municipal commissioner Himanshu Sharma to propagate information not to gather on the riverbank because of the swollen Budhi Gandak.

He said: “I would appeal to the people in a day or two to perform the rituals on a makeshift or artificial ponds normally dug up near their residence or on rooftops. The corporation would dig up pond-like structures for arghya at several places in the township for Chhath devotees.” The DM and municipal commissioner Himanshu Sharma paid a visit to Budhi Gandak passing through the Akharaghat area on Wednesday.

Anupam Kumar ordered strict surveillance to prevent Chhath devotees from arriving at the banks. The corporation has decided to dig up at least 10 pond-like structures of 150ft long.

Sunita Jha, who has been observing Chhath for the past 30 years, has come from Nagpur for the festival, said: “The move of the administration is quite praiseworthy because they are thinking of the safety of the devotees.”

Himanshu Sharma said the representatives of the wards are being requested to disseminate information regarding digging up of artificial ponds outside the houses and rooftops for arghya. The municipal corporation has already put a blanket ban on flocking to Sidhi Ghat at Sikandarpur in the wake of heavy flow of the Budhi Gandak. Even the Sidhi ghat stairs have of late turned muddy posing danger to scores of devotees.