Patna, July 21: Continuous heavy rain in catchment areas of Nepal has led to rivers flowing above the danger mark at several places in Bihar.

Floodwaters have affected 71,000 people in Araria, Supaul and Darbhanga districts. Other districts hit by rising water levels include Muzaffapur and Saharsa. According to a central water commission (CWC) official, the Kosi is flowing 40cm above danger level at Baltara and could rise by 9-13cm till Friday.

Similarly, the Mahananda is flowing around 78cm above danger level at Dhengra Ghat and 4cm above at Jhawa. With the Kosi in spate, many areas are badly affected in Salkhua block of Saharsa district and residents are forced to shift to other places. A water resources official said all embankments in Bihar are safe.

Water levels of the Ghagra, Gandak, Budhi-Gandak and Bagmati too are expected to rise. The Bagmati is flowing 1.62m above danger at Kataunjha in Muzaffarpur and has touched the danger level at Lalganj and Gandhi ghat in adjoining Vaishali district. Similarly, the Bagmati, Gandak and Budhi Gandak rivers are constantly rising in Katra, Benibad and Gaighat areas.

"Around 40 villages have been hit by the flood waters," said Avinash Kumar, officer on special duty in the disaster management department.