Ganga rises 1.93 metres above danger mark in Patna, flood alert issued
The Ganges cross danger level by 1.93 meter at Patna of Bihar. Photo: Collected.
The Ganga River at Gandhi Ghat in Patna has risen 1.93 metres above the danger mark, prompting Bihar’s Water Resources Department to alert district authorities and step up flood preparedness measures.
The water level at the Gandhi Ghat gauge was recorded at 50.53 metres at 10am on Saturday, compared with the danger mark of 48.60 metres. The river is also flowing close to its Highest Flood Level (HFL) of 50.52 metres, raising the possibility that a new HFL could be established at the site.
The department has directed all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to take precautionary measures and remain on alert, particularly in riverine Diara areas where rising water levels could increase pressure.
Officials have been instructed to inform residents living near embankments, take necessary action and ensure continuous patrolling by district-level flood management teams.
Meanwhile, Independent MP Pappu Yadav, after inspecting flood-affected areas along the Kursela-Bhagalpur stretch, alleged that government relief efforts were inadequate.
“We have come here to conduct an inspection, covering the entire stretch of the Kursela-Bhagalpur area. We spent the entire night out on the river. The government is merely going through the motions; it is just a formality,” Yadav told ANI.
He said affected people lacked drinking water, livestock fodder, milk for children and anti-venom for snakebites. According to him, food distribution began around 11am or noon and ended by 1pm, leaving some people without supplies.
Yadav said he provided financial assistance and relief materials to affected families during his visit.
“Right now, we gave Rs 500 to every family. We also provided quintals of flattened rice (chura), along with packets containing 5 kg of rice and 5 kg of flour. The public, whom we regard as God, has the rightful claim to these resources and my life's assets,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary held a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, water levels, embankment conditions and ongoing relief and rescue operations across the state. He also conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas and reviewed the situation in low-lying Diara regions along the Ganga and its tributaries.
Choudhary directed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in affected districts to remain stationed in their respective areas and ensure immediate assistance to those affected. He also ordered officials to prepare lists of affected families and ensure that no one has to wait unnecessarily for relief.
Authorities were instructed to continue food distribution through relief camps and community kitchens.
The state government has deployed 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in flood-affected areas for rescue and relief operations.
The Water Resources Department and district administrations have also been directed to monitor embankments around the clock from Buxar to Bhagalpur and remain alert to possible erosion or breaches. The state administration has linked the flood command centre with the Chief Minister’s Dashboard to enable real-time monitoring of the situation and relief operations. (Deccan Chronicle)
