The Central Water Commission (CWC) on Monday warned of increase in water-levels in most rivers of Bihar because of heavy rainfall.

The India Metrological Department, Patna, has also forecast heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of all rivers in the state on Tuesday.

According to the CWC, the water-level in the Gandak rose by 30cm from its normal level. It is expected to increase further by 30cm at Dumaria Ghat by 6am on Tuesday.

Similarly, the water levels in Kamla-Balan, Kosi, Mahananda are also expected to rise by 12cm, 5cm and 67cm respectively on Tuesday.

However, in what would come as relief for the residents, the Central Flood Control Cell has declared all the embankments in the state as safe.

The Patna district administration on Monday issued precautionary measures because of the increased water level in the Ganga, .

While reviewing the disaster management meeting, Patna district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal issued orders to arrest boatmen who ply overloaded boats on the river.

Agarwal issued orders to officials concerned to convince boatmen to follow their instructions without fail.

He ordered the circle officers to hold a meeting with all boatmen to ensure their safety.

"According to the procedures, boatmen are expected to keep at least one life jacket and one lifebuoy in their respective boats," DM Agarwal said. "I have instructed all circle officers to make a list of divers and their availability for emergency duty. Deployment of jawans has also been ordered at all ghats."

The Patna district administration has also created a WhatsApp group for flood-control in which officials of various departments like water resources, road construction, energy, flood control cell, public health and engineering apart from senior officials such as the civil surgeon, district veterinary officer, district agriculture officer, sub-divisional officers and circle officers are members.

"All officers concerned are expected to give time-to-time updates on the condition of embankments, water-level, and daily flood bulletins along with photographs so that quick action could be taken," Agarwal said. "Water resources department officials have been asked to post the 6pm and 6am water level of the Ganga every day to ascertain increase and decrease."