Ranchi, July 28: The Ganga river is flowing near the danger level, threatening to inundate 224 villages spread across 86 panchayats of Sahebganj that has prompted the district administration to step up flood control measures.
According to the Central Water Commission's report, the water level today touched 27.230 metres - up from yesterday's 27.170 metres and a few centimetres short of the danger level at 27.250 metres.
"There has been six centimetre rise in the water level in the past 24 hours. Considering the rainfall across northern parts of the country, the water level is likely to cross the danger mark anytime now," Sahebganj district disaster management officer Amrit Lal said.
Past records suggest that out of the nine blocks in the district, four - Sahebganj, Rajmahal, Udhwa and Taljhari - are prone to extreme floods.
These apart, the overflowing Ganga also threatens to submerge major parts of Mandro and Borio blocks while waters from the Gumani river flow into Barharwa block during the rains.
"We need to make elaborate arrangement for the and 10.504 lakh cattle living in the flood-affected blocks," Amrit Lal added.
Elaborating on the disaster-control efforts, Sahebganj deputy commissioner Umesh Prasad Singh said total 92 relief centres had been readied for safe stay of people in case of floods. Some 34 health centres have been equipped with all necessary medicines and facilities to deal with all eventualities. Adequate food grains and other necessary items have been stocked up.
These apart, 568 flood volunteers, 31 divers and 186 boats have been put on standby.
"We are ready to evacuate people from the river's catchment areas. All officials have been directed to stay alert. We are prepared as the Ganga water level is rising alarmingly. I have sent a detailed report to the state government," the DC said.
Rajmahal MLA Anant Ojha of the BJP claimed a large number of people had already fled their homes in low-lying areas. Yesterday, he raised the issue in the Assembly and urged the state government to take prompt action and deploy National Disaster Response Force. "Today, I spoke to the DC in the morning for latest updates. He told me that he was doing his best. The state government has also initiated action," he added.
