PATNA:
Around 27 lakh people have been affected by floods across 13 districts of Bihar after swollen rivers inundated large areas of the State, prompting authorities to intensify rescue and relief operations.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday inspected community kitchens in Vaishali and Bhagalpur and directed officials to step up relief measures, continuously monitor river embankments and maintain close watch over vulnerable areas.
Officials said 190 community kitchens were operating across the flood-affected districts to provide food to displaced residents. As many as 1,429 boats have also been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Choudhary, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, visited relief facilities and reviewed arrangements for people affected by the flooding.
Authorities have sounded an alert in downstream areas of the Ganga after the river reached its highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna.
At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga was flowing at 50.41 metres at 6 am on Monday, around 1.57 metres above the danger level. Several other rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati, Punpun and Ghaghra, were also flowing above danger levels at various locations.
The flooding followed heavy rainfall and rising water levels in several river systems. Bihar received 69.1 mm of rainfall during September so far, around 55 per cent above normal, officials said.
Engineers have been instructed to keep machinery and other resources ready to respond to emergencies. Residents in flood-prone areas have also been advised to avoid going near rivers.
With several districts affected simultaneously, authorities are focusing on evacuation, food distribution, rescue operations and monitoring of embankments.
The State government has directed local administrations to maintain vigilance in vulnerable areas as river levels remain high and the flood situation continues to pose a challenge across northern and central parts of Bihar.