Water from the swollen Ganga has gushed into several places in Munger town.

The worst-hit localities are Laldarwaza, Kelawari, Mirchi Talab, Chua Bagh, Hajratganj and Karballa, where knee- to waist-deep water was flowing on the main streets on Monday morning. Residents here were forced to remain indoors. They were not able to visit markets or send children to schools. A government middle school in Lal Darwaza was submerged, forcing authorities to close it.

At 10am on Monday, the Ganga was flowing 56cm above the danger-level.

Even as the living suffer, cremation of the dead has also become tough because of the floods, said social worker Naresh Gupta. People, he said, were facing it tough performing the last rites of the deceased at the ghat near Laldarwaza thanks to the swollen river.

An official in the Central Water Commission said after rising for three days, the water level had become stable.

Munger district magistrate (DM) Uday Kumar Singh said more than 12 camps had been set up in the district headquarter town and food was being provided. "Most people living in these camps have come from rural areas. Boats have been pressed into service," he said.

Water was flowing over the NH 80 at four places, Kalarampur, Kumarpur, Kalyanpur railway station and Ghorghat Prem Tola, on the Munger-Bhagalpur main road since Monday morning. "No government help has come to us even though we are facing the wrath of the floods," said Mohammad Wali (25), a resident of Hajratganj locality of Munger town.

Bholi Sahani, a boatman from Lallu Pokhar locality of Munger town, said he was rendering his services to marooned people for a fee.

"I refused to do the same service for the government because it takes years to get payment for the services. Two years ago, the administration had taken my services during floods but no remuneration has been paid till date," he claimed.

Water level rises

On Monday, the Ganga was flowing 65cm above the danger mark in Gopalpur, around 35km northeast of Bhagalpur district headquarters.

"The level could rise further from (Monday) evening. If it rises by 30-40cm, it will be difficult to avert disaster," said a water resource department source.