The water resources department has sounded a flood alarm with heavy rainfall in the catchments along the state’s border with Nepal inundating many villages in north Bihar districts, particularly Muzaffarpur.

Several rivers, including Bagmati, Kosi, Gandak and Budhi Gandak, are flowing above the respective danger levels. The Bagmati has inundated more than 500 villages in Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks, leaving around 2 lakh people marooned. District magistrate Santosh Kumar Mall said: “Around 25 countrymade boats have been pressed into service to rescue the marooned people.”

Sources in the Central Water Commission, Muzaffarpur, said Bagmati was flowing above the danger mark in Kataunjha and Benibad.

The level of rivers like the Gandak, Baya and the Budhi Gandak is also rising.

The overflowing Bagmati has gobbled up many areas near Gangia High School in Gaighat block. A team of engineers of the water resource department has rushed to the site for repair work.

Water of the Jhim has inundated the Sashastra Seema Bal camp at Sonbarsa in Sitamarhi district. The Sonbarsa police station is also under water. “Policemen have moved to safer places,” Sitamarhi superintendent of police Vivek Kumar said.

Traffic on NH104 connecting Sitamarhi and Sheohar also came to a halt on Tuesday after water of the Bagmati overflowed onto the road near Dhankol village. The water is flowing at a height of 3ft above ground level. Hundreds of displaced families from Bharthuva, Jivajor, Madhuban, Babhangama, Benipur, Sarhanchia and Besi from Aurai block have taken shelter on National Highway 77 connecting Muzaffarpur with Sitamarhi.

The water resources department has asked villagers to move to safer locations.

Mall said he has directed block development officers to identify higher ground at their respective block headquarters.