Shafaqna Pakistan: More than 49 lakh people in 15 districts of Bihar have been affected by flooding after prolonged rainfall pushed several rivers above their danger marks, officials said on Monday.
According to the local meteorological office, Bihar received 111.7mm of rainfall in September, about 13 per cent higher than the normal level.
An official said persistent rain in the catchment areas of rivers flowing into Bihar from Nepal, coupled with heavy rainfall within the state, had caused water levels to rise in several rivers and streams.
Data from the Disaster Management Department showed that around 49.36 lakh residents had been affected in Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria.
At 6 am on Monday, the Ganga was flowing at 36.21 metres in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, which was 1.71 metres above the danger mark.
The Ganga also remained above the danger level at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger. Other rivers flowing above warning thresholds included the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela, the Budhi Gandak at Khagaria, the Punpun at Sripalpur, the Bagmati at Benibad and the Ghaghara at Darauli.
The state administration has opened 1,260 community kitchens and 13 relief camps in the affected areas. Around 11,060 people are being provided with accommodation, meals, medical assistance and other essential services.
At 10 am on Monday, the Gandak barrage at Valmiki Nagar recorded a rising discharge of 90,600 cusecs. Water discharge from the Kosi Barrage at Birpur stood at 1,51,015 cusecs, compared with this year’s peak of 2,55,425 cusecs recorded on July 20.
Twenty-seven State Disaster Response Force teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed across the affected districts to conduct rescue and relief operations.
Source: Shafaqna India
