Patna: The water level in the Ganga rose by 1.71m at Digha ghat on the outskirts of Patna, indicating that high volumes of rainwater was draining into the river from its tributaries, as the threat of floods swelled in several districts on Wednesday. Adding to the danger was normal to heavy rainfall in north Bihar and Nepal.
The river's level rose by 67cm at Gandhi Ghat in Patna, though it was flowing below the danger level at most places in the state.
Other rivers across the state were rising rapidly spilling over onto areas along the banks, as residents and the administration braced for the impending inundation.
Major flood-bringing rivers Mahananda, Kamla Balan, Ghaghra and Adhwara were flowing above the danger level at several places while many small rivers in the state were also in spate, damaging infrastructure and endangering people.
Though the state disaster management department is yet to declare the names of flood-affected districts, department minister Dinesh Chandra Yadav told The Telegraph that floodwaters had entered two panchayats of Gaunaha block in West Champaran district from small rivers in the area, but the water was receding and the situation was under control. Some parts of Narkatiaganj block in the district were also affected. "Heavy discharge from barrages over Kosi at Bhimnagar and Birpur had led to much rise in water level over the last few days, threatening Supaul, Saharsa and Khagaria districts, but the river is currently showing a declining trend," Dinesh said.
Water entered parts of Raxaul in East Champaran district as the Tilawe river, which flows into Bihar from Nepal, flooded due to heavy rains in the neighbouring country.
Parts of the Raxaul primary health centre area, Sundarpur, Islampur, Ahirwar Tola and others were submerged. Several areas of Patahi block in the district were also affected.
Raxaul sub-divisional officer Amit Kumar told The Telegraph: "Flash floods came in Tilawe river and inundated some areas. The water has reduced and the situation is better. We are taking all precautions."
The road link between East Champaran and Sheohar districts had snapped as water from the Bagmati was flowing over the road, forcing people to take the help of boats to travel.
In Purnea district, floodwaters have entered the Tarabari panchayat area in Baisi block as the Mahananda, Parman and Kankai rivers were in spate. In adjoining Araria district, continuous rains over the last few days have affected Kursakanta and Palasi blocks. The Mahananda was rising rapidly in Katihar district too, while low-lying areas in Kishanganj district were also being flooded.
These four districts were severely affected in last year's floods.
Water from the Rato and Adhwara group rivers has washed away a makeshift diversion on the banks of the Lakhandai river near Dularpur in Sitamarhi district. Adjoining Muzaffarpur district was also being impacted due to the rising water level in the Bagmati and Budhi Gandak rivers.
In Muzaffarpur, low-lying areas of Aurai and Katra and agriculture fields in Gaighat blocks were flooded. District magistrate Mohammad Sohail has asked block development officers of the flood-hit areas to shift people living along the riverbanks to safer places. Villages are demanding boats to ferry them. The water level of the Bagmati is rising rapidly in Gaighat and submerging new areas along national highway 57. Gaighat block circle officer Rajiv Ranjan said that the flood-affected people are being shifted to safer locations.
Personnel of the national disaster response force are touring the flooded areas to assess the situation and carry rescue operations if needed. According to reportsreaching the Muzaffarpur district headquarters, around five lakh people across five blocks are currently affected by floodwaters.
