Rain alert sounded in Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur

MUZAFFARPUR/BHAGALPUR: Muzaffarpur DM Alok Ranjan Ghosh sounded an alert on Friday apprehending flood threats as all major rivers flowing through the district were in spate due to the incessant rain since last 48 hours. The DM also cancelled leave of the officials in the district.
IMD has forecast heavy to extremely rainfall in Bhagalpur, West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur districts on Saturday.
While the swirling Ganga was overflowing at some places on NH-80 between Sultanganj and Bhagalpur, many low-lying areas in Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon were inundated by floodwaters. Several residential premises, schools and other institutes in the district were under ankle-deep water. The situation is grim in 16 flood-hit blocks of the district.
Bhagalpur administration has ordered closure of all government and private schools on Saturday in the wake of red alert sounded by the IMD. Bhagalpur DM Pranav Kumar said Section 144 of CrPC has been enforced in the district.
“I have asked the civil surgeon to keep stock of emergency drugs ready. The engineers of water resources department along with men in the flood control room have also been directed patrol the embankments and take necessary steps to ensure safety. Every venerable point must be checked for possible breach as the water level in the rivers has been increasing due to heavy rain in north Bihar as well as the catchment areas of these rivers in Nepal,” Muzaffarpur DM said.
According to the Central Water Commission, water level in the Bagmati, Kamla Balan, Gandak may cross corresponding danger level in the next 24 hours at Dubbaghat, Benibad and Chandoli in Muzaffarpur.
Bagmati river has inundated Aurai, Katra and Gaighat blocks. People from Babhangama, Harni, Bara Bujurg, Chhota Bujurg, Mahuawara, Raghopur, Joki Khurd, Bharathua and Chahuta have started moving to safer place apprehending flood threat in their villages.
Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear in Bhagalpur and Banka due to incessant rain since Thursday. The Patna Meteorological Centre (PMC) has issued ‘Orange Warning’ (alert for the authorities to be prepared) and predicted 120-200mm rainfall in Bhagalpur, Banka, Supaul, Darbhanga, Madhubani and several other north Bihar districts.
Weather scientist at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Dr Birendra Kumar, said, “The incessant rain is due to a cyclonic circulation. Rain will continue for the next two to three days.”
Bhagalpur airport campus, parks and roads have become temporary shelters for the flood-affected residents and cattle.