PATNA: Incessant rains battered several parts of Bihar over the past 24 hours, pushing up water levels in major rivers and prompting authorities to remain on alert.All 69 gates of the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri in Rohtas district have been opened to facilitate water flow and help control the flood situation, news agency PTI reported.According to the latest bulletin issued by the Bihar water resources department (WRD), the Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Ganga and Punpun rivers are flowing above the danger mark at several locations.Water levels at some other places have reached the warning level.The Gandak was flowing above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj, Sidhwalia and adjoining areas.The Kosi was above the danger mark at Baltara in Khagaria and Kursela in Katihar, PTI reported.The Burhi Gandak and Ganga were also above the danger mark at several locations, while the Punpun had crossed the danger mark at some places.No casualties have been reported so far, a senior WRD official said.People living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer locations by the respective district administrations.“All departments concerned are on alert,” the official said, adding that authorities have been directed to maintain continuous vigilance and monitoring, stock essential materials and regularly inspect embankments.District administrations are also issuing timely alerts through loudspeakers and microphones in sensitive areas, the official said.The latest rainfall bulletin issued by the meteorological department said light to moderate rain was recorded in several districts, including Araria, Arwal, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Jamui, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, Munger, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Purnea, Rohtas, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Vaishali, West Champaran and Aurangabad since September 1.The discharge of water from various barrages across the state was also high, the official said.“It all happened because of the incessant rains in several parts of the state and also relentless rain in certain parts of Nepal,” he said.The affected districts include Bhagalpur, West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Jehanabad, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Katihar and Bhojpur.The discharge through the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri stood at 5.59 lakh cusecs till 6pm on Wednesday, PTI reported.The Kosi Barrage at Birpur recorded a discharge of 2.29 lakh cusecs, while the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar recorded 1.77 lakh cusecs, the bulletin said.Officials said opening all 69 gates of the Sone Barrage would facilitate the flow of water and help control the flood situation.In Patna, rising water levels in the Ganga have submerged several roadside shops and vendors’ carts along JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive.In Aurangabad, flood-like conditions have emerged in Goh block and nearby areas following a rise in the Bela Punpun river.Floodwaters have entered several villages, officials said.(With agency inputs)
