Patna: The Bihar govt has stepped up flood preparedness as several major rivers continue to flow above danger levels, with the disaster management department (DMD) maintaining round-the-clock surveillance in vulnerable districts.DMD minister Ratnesh Sada said on Wednesday that the department and the state govt were closely monitoring rising river levels and erosion-prone areas to ensure a quick response to emergencies. For emergency situation, 27 SDRF and nine NDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts and kept on standby.DMD principal secretary Santosh Kumar Mall and water resources department secretary Chandrashekhar Singh inspected the Kajikoreiya-Raghopur Marginal Embankment in Bhagalpur with district officials. They directed the administration to maintain constant vigil along the Ganga and ensure prompt relief to flood-affected residents.After damage to the marginal embankment in Raghopur panchayat under Kharik block, the Bhagalpur administration started four community kitchens, which have served more than 43,000 plates of cooked food. Across 13 districts, 286 boats are currently operating to facilitate transportation in flood-affected areas, the DMD secretary said.More than 2,600 polythene sheets have been distributed in West Champaran, Purnia, Supaul, Bhagalpur and Vaishali. Dry ration packets have also been distributed in affected areas of West Champaran and Bhagalpur.Anti-erosion measures have been intensified in Sabour block of Bhagalpur, with officials directed to strengthen preventive measures and monitor vulnerable stretches.According to the Central Water Commission, the Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah and Kahalgaon. The Gandak was above the mark at Dumariaghat, while the Bagmati, Kosi, Burhi Gandak and Punpun were also above danger levels at several locations.At Indrapuri Barrage, the Sone recorded a maximum discharge of 4,85,156 cusecs at 4pm on Sept 1, with a rising trend. Birpur Barrage on the Kosi recorded 2,03,195 cusecs, while Valmikinagar Barrage on the Gandak recorded 1,47,500 cusecs, with a declining trend.The DMD has directed districts to continuously monitor river levels and act according to the flood SOP. Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and follow official advisories.Meanwhile, Bihar received 541.6mm of rainfall between June 1 and Sept 1, around 30% below normal, according to the Meteorological Service Centre. Light to moderate rain has been forecast at several places over the next two days.
