Patna: Barring the turbulent Kosi, most major rivers in Bihar, including the Gandak, Ganga and Mahananda, remained relatively calm and were flowing below the danger level at most places on Saturday, though heavy rainfall in Nepal continued to cause fluctuations in several rivers.According to the flood bulletin issued by the water resources department, the discharge through the Birpur barrage across the Kosi stood at 1.34 lakh cusecs at 2 pm and rose to 1.40 lakh cusecs at 10 pm on Friday. It fell marginally to 1.38 lakh cusecs at 10am on Saturday before suddenly rising to 1.56 lakh cusecs by 2pm.Officials attributed the increase to intermittent rainfall in the Kosi catchment areas in Nepal, reflected in higher water flow from the Barah Kshetra barrage. The increased discharge from Birpur is expected to swell the Kosi further downstream.On Saturday, the Kosi was flowing 63cm above the danger level at Baltara in Khagaria district and 60 cm above it at Kursela in Katihar, with the situation expected to become more serious on Sunday.The Ganga was above the danger level at Gandhi Ghat in Patna by 44cm, Hathidah by 60cm and Kahalgaon by 78cm, though it showed a consistent falling trend. The Gandak was 33cm above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat, while the Burhi Gandak was 53cm above it at Khagaria.Heavy rainfall in Nepal has also prompted heightened monitoring of rivers in Muzaffarpur. The Bagmati, Burhi Gandak and Gandak have recorded fluctuations, though the district administration said the situation remained under control.At Katauja gauge station, the Bagmati stood at 53.50 metres against a danger mark of 55 metres and was showing a rising trend. A further increase could affect low-lying areas of Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks.The Burhi Gandak stood at 47.25 metres at Sikandarpur against a danger mark of 52.53 metres and remained stable. The Gandak, measured at Rewaghat, was at 53.32 metres against a danger mark of 54.41 metres and showed a declining trend.Muzaffarpur district magistrate Kumar Gaurav said vulnerable areas were under round-the-clock surveillance, while security along sensitive embankments had been strengthened and the flood control room activated. “Local engineers and circle officers have been directed to conduct regular inspections and remain prepared to respond to any emergency. The officials have also been directed to assess the availability of relief materials and boats in low-lying and potentially flood-affected areas,” Kumar said.Meanwhile, SDRF jawans in Bhagalpur continued warning boys and youths bathing in the still-swollen Ganga against venturing into deep waters, asking them to remain close to the bank.
