Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its Tuesday bulletin, issued a yellow alert for the next three days, forecasting continued rain, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds in north-western, north-central, north-eastern and south-western parts of Bihar.The intermittent showers prompted the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to keep its field teams and water drainage machinery on alert. Under the supervision of municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena, pumps installed at vulnerable locations were activated as soon as rainfall began.Additional 10HP pumps, suction machines and super sucker machines were deployed wherever required. The civic body said waterlogging in most vulnerable locations was cleared within 30 to 45 minutes after the rain stopped.Lassi Gali, Chandrakala Gali, Veer Kunwar Singh Park, Patel Golambar, Karbigahiya, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Khetan Market, Mac-Dowell Golambar, Mathnitola and Guru Gobind Singh Path were among the locations where pumps and machinery were deployed.In Karbigahiya, a super sucker machine was used to drain accumulated water and the area was cleared within two hours of the rain stopping, said a PMC official.PMC’s official communique on Tuesday said pumps installed at the Old Secretariat, airport and assembly complex were switched on at the onset of rain, preventing waterlogging at these sensitive premises. Additional pumps were also deployed at the LNJP Hospital premises for drainage.The civic body said several areas, including Azimabad, did not face waterlogging despite the showers. Field teams, pumps and drainage machinery remained on standby to respond to complaints of waterlogging, it said.The IMD forecast indicates rain and thunderstorm activity will continue in Bihar over the coming days, with residents likely to experience further spells of intermittent rain.
