Patna: Amid major rivers remaining in spate and worsening the flood situation in several parts of the state, CM Samrat Choudhary on Friday conducted an aerial survey and asked officials to intensify relief and rescue operations and ensure prompt assistance to affected people.The review came as Patna, surrounded by the Sone, Ganga and Punpun, faced a growing flood threat, prompting authorities to order the closure of all 108 openings in the Patna Town Protection Walls.“Bihar is a playground of rivers. Flood management is a big challenge here,” said geographer and former Patna University vice-chancellor Ras Bihari Prasad Singh. “We need to be cautious,” he said, adding, “Things are in control right now.”After the aerial survey, Samrat held a meeting at the CM House and reviewed water levels, embankment conditions and relief and rescue operations. He asked officials to carry out repair work without delay and maintain continuous monitoring of sensitive areas.Samrat said the Ganga embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur must remain under constant watch. The water resources department and district administrations were asked to remain fully alert to prevent erosion or breaches.He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted food and relief supplies through flood relief camps and community kitchens. “Ensure timely availability of relief materials to affected people,” he said.The CM also asked officials to prepare lists of flood-affected families and provide immediate assistance. “It should be ensured that no affected family has to wait unnecessarily for assistance,” he said.He directed the administration to maintain close coordination with SDRF and NDRF teams and link the command centre directly to the CM dashboard for continuous monitoring.Officials informed the CM that no heavy rainfall was expected during the coming week. Water resources department secretary Chandrashekhar Singh said the Sone was likely to recede in the coming days, while the Ganga was also expected to show a declining trend.Principal secretary of disaster management department Santosh Kumar Mall said 27 SDRF and nine NDRF teams had been deployed in flood-affected areas for rescue and relief operations.District magistrates of 13 districts joined the meeting through videoconferencing, while senior officials were also present.
