Patna: The Ganga and several other rivers remained in spate across Bihar on Saturday, triggering flood alerts in low-lying areas and forcing residents of vulnerable diara regions in Maner, Danapur and Bakhtiyarpur to evacuate. Ganga water entered several low-lying areas of Danapur, while some riverbanks, including Gandhi Ghat in Patna, were declared dangerous.The Ganga at Gandhi Ghat was flowing around 20cm above the danger mark, while at Hathidah, the water level reached 42.19 metres against the danger mark of 41.76 metres. Rising water also disrupted construction of the Sherpur-Dighwara six-lane bridge with around a dozen pillars submerged.The swollen river has made it difficult for people to perform last rites at several Ganga ghats in Patna, including Digha and Gulabi Ghat. Similar problems were reported from Buxar, Bhagalpur and Munger.In Sultanganj, the Ganga was flowing above the danger mark, posing a threat to the ongoing Shravani Mela. At Ramrekha Ghat in Buxar, the water level reached a critical stage, prompting authorities to closely monitor devotees taking ritual baths and collecting holy water.Several other rivers, including the Sone, Kosi, Gandak, Saryu and Bagmati, were also in spate. The Gandak raised concerns in Champaran, with Bagaha facing a growing threat of riverbank erosion. The Punpun was flowing close to the danger mark, while the Karrua river in Dhanrua near Jehanabad continued to rise. In Munger, the Ganga stood at 37.91 metres, though it remained below the danger mark.Patna DM Kundan Kumar said 31 sensitive and 181 highly sensitive locations had been identified in the district in terms of flood vulnerability. He said 858,000 sand-filled EC bags, 2,083 cubic metres of local sand, 64,093 nylon crates and 10,682 geo-bags had been made available for flood protection. A 24×7 control room is operational at the district level, while block level control rooms have also been established in all blocks.The India Meteorological Department has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall in Bihar during Saturday-Sunday and again on Aug 27-28, raising concerns over further rises in river levels.
