The water-level in some rivers of the state is above the danger mark but there is no fear of flood as the embankments are safe, water resources department principal secretary Afzal Amanullah said on Wednesday.

The swelling Gandak has, however, gobbled up a number of villages in Gopalganj district after heavy rainfall in the upper courses of the river in Nepal. Many villagers have relocated after their homes were submerged.

Source said the embankments of the river are safe though there is a heavy pressure on them. As a precautionary measure, the district administration has increased vigilance at Patarha, Semaria, Masan Thana, Paithan Patti and Bluhi embankments.

Amanullah made this statement after visiting Patara and Semaria embankments on the banks of the Gandak. Chief engineer of flood control Dinesh Chaudhury, deluge expert Abdul Hamid, superintending engineer Jal Kishore and Gopalganj district magistrate Pankaj Kumar accompanied him on the visit to the villages, around 180km northwest of Patna.

“I have visited all the river embankments in the state. There is no immediate threats of flood,” said Amanullah.

He added: “The Kosi and the Bagmati are causing some problems but we are dealing with it. The Gandak has also been flowing dangerously at Bagaha. But we have initiated safety work there.”

The senior officer also said: “The Vikramshila Bridge over Ganga could also cause flood at Ismailpur, Bind Toli and Raghopur in Bhagalpur district. A technical team is working to ensure that there is no loss of life and property because of a natural calamity.”