Patna: The state water resources department (WRD) on Saturday issued an alert to its engineers and officials and warned people against going near the banks of major and minor rivers in 15 flood-affected districts. Rapidly receding floodwaters and strong currents have increased the risk of sudden bank erosion and collapse at vulnerable points.“Special caution be exercised due to the fast fall in the water level, or sudden drawdown. In such situations, the possibility of sudden and rapid bank erosion at the banks of the rivers increases, as a result of which mishaps might occur at all the sensitive points along the banks,” the WRD alert note said.The note asked officials concerned to maintain constant patrolling and vigil at sensitive spots and monitor riverbanks, erosion-prone areas and weak points as water levels fall. They were also asked to publicise the warning among people.The WRD asked officials to immediately inspect any spot where sudden erosion is reported, riverbank collapse occurs or the main current starts moving rapidly towards the bank. Engineers have been asked to begin anti-erosion work wherever necessary.The department also stressed prompt communication about erosion or bank collapse and directed officials to keep adequate flood-fighting materials in reserve at sensitive locations. They have also been asked to review the situation regularly.Meanwhile, water levels in the three major rivers responsible for this season’s flooding had started falling rapidly from Friday. At 10am on Saturday, discharge through Indrapuri barrage on the Sone was 70,021 cusecs, while Birpur barrage on the Kosi recorded 1.39 lakh cusecs and Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak 75,500 cusecs.The Ganga was 49cm below the danger level at Buxar at 6am. At Maner, it was 78cm above the danger level, while the corresponding figures at Digha and Gandhi Ghat were 48cm and 1.17 metres. Downstream, the river was 29cm above the danger level at Munger. Its level had fallen to 1.98 metres at Sultanganj, 74cm at Bhagalpur and 1.63 metres at Kahalgaon. The situation was expected to improve further by the afternoon.
