Patna: Flood threat loomed large over several areas of Bihar as the Ganga and Sone rivers continued to flow above the danger mark, inundating villages and damaging crops. Strong currents of the Ganga breached marginal embankments in Begusarai and Bhagalpur late Sunday night, prompting authorities to intensify flood-fighting operations.A nearly 30-metre stretch of the ‘zamindari’ (ring) embankment in Bachhwara area of Begusarai and another 30-metre stretch of the Raghopur embankment-cum-railway tagging embankment in Bhagalpur were damaged. Floodwater entered several panchayats, inundating agricultural fields and damaging standing paddy crops.In Patna, the Ganga continued to rise at several locations. On Monday, the river was flowing 94 cm above the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat and 18 cm above the danger mark at Digha Ghat. Water also overtopped the road near Bhadra Ghat, while NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed near several ghats as a precautionary measure.Danapur MLA and minister Ram Kripal Yadav said erosion was visible at several places in Danapur and Patna, increasing the risk to life and property. “Shelters are set up in some locations,” he said.According to a water resources department communique, flood-fighting operations were continuing downstream of the ‘E-Nose’ amid intense river pressure. The Kazikoraiya-Raghopur marginal embankment, located on the left bank of the Ganga in Kharik block of Bhagalpur, suffered severe erosion. Work on a ring embankment has begun to secure both ends of the damaged stretch and prevent further spread of floodwater.The department said 250 lakh sandbags, 20 boats, 16 tractors, three earthmover machines had been deployed, with around 250 workers working round the clock. Senior officials, along with Bhagalpur DM and SSP, were monitoring the situation.The WRD has also written to the Farakka Barrage general manager seeking expedited release of Ganga water. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary has requested his West Bengal counterpart to open all gates of the barrage. A departmental team has been sent to Farakka to assess the latest status.Bhagalpur DM Alankrita Pandey said repair and erosion-control work was being carried out rapidly to tackle the breach caused by the strong current.
