The flood situation in Bihar deteriorated on Saturday, with the number of affected people increasing to nearly 48 lakh across 15 districts, while several rivers, including the Ganga, were flowing above the danger levels.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) cautioned against sudden and rapid riverbank erosion, and directed its officials to maintain close vigil at vulnerable locations.
“Due to the rise in water levels of several rivers, approximately 47.92 lakh people in 575 gram panchayats across 87 blocks in 15 districts have been affected by the floods," the Disaster Management Department said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The flood-hit districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia, Madhepura and Araria.
The count of flood-affected people was 47.33 lakh on Friday evening.
The government also instructed officials to ensure prompt reporting of any erosion incident and to keep adequate resources readily available at vulnerable locations.
Heavy rain causes rivers to swell
Incessant rain in Bihar, coupled with downpours in catchment areas of Nepal, has caused several rivers and streams to swell, officials said.
The state has recorded 104.1 mm of rainfall in September so far, about 27 per cent above normal, they said.
The Disaster Management Department said the Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.48 metres at 6 am on Saturday, 1.98 metres above the danger level, though the water level was receding.
Several rivers remain above danger marks
The water levels of the Gandak at Dumariaghat, the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela, the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria, the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger, the Punpun at Sripalpur, the Bagmati at Benibad, and the Ghaghra at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan were flowing above the danger marks, the Water Resources Department said.
It stated that a sudden reduction in water levels could increase the risk of bank erosion, posing a threat to vulnerable stretches of riverbanks and embankments.
The department officials have been directed to immediately inspect any location showing signs of sudden erosion, bank collapse, or rapid movement of the river current towards the bank, and to initiate necessary preventive and protective measures without delay.
Relief camps, kitchens remain operational
“A total of 1,245 community kitchens are being operated in various districts for flood-affected people. In addition, 13 relief camps remain functional. In these facilities, arrangements for accommodation, food, medical care and other essential items have been made for 12,260 flood-affected people”, the Disaster Management Department said.
So far, approximately 3.50 lakh polythene sheets, 57,100 dry-ration packets and 1,400 food packets have been distributed among flood-hit people.
A total of 1,840 boats are being operated to facilitate evacuation and transportation, it said, adding that so far, 11,204 quintals of animal fodder have been distributed.
SDRF, NDRF teams deployed
In view of floods and to ensure prompt relief and rescue operations, 27 SDRF teams and 10 NDRF teams have been deployed in various districts.
The Bihar Meteorological Centre has forecast that during the next two days, most parts of the state are likely to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of strong winds.