Patna: Bihar’s flood situation remains under control despite record-high water levels in the Ganga, Water Resources Department deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said on September 7.
Speaking at a press conference at Sinchai Bhawan in Patna, Chaudhary said the Ganga reached 50.58 metres at Gandhi Ghat, exceeding the previous 50.52-metre peak recorded in 2016.
He attributed Patna’s safety to continuous monitoring by Water Resources Department officials and the district administration.
Backwater Effect Raises Concern
The sustained high level of the Ganga has created a backwater effect at several locations, the department said. This has affected the discharge of rivers flowing into the Ganga, including the Gandak and Punpun, resulting in rising water levels in their lower reaches.
Chaudhary said the Ganga’s water level is now expected to recede, with further improvement anticipated over the next one to two days.
Embankment Damage In Bhagalpur Repaired
The Kazikoreya-Raghopur marginal embankment along the Ganga in Kharik block of Bhagalpur district recently suffered damage.
According to the department, engineers and officials carried out remedial work continuously and prevented floodwater from spreading into inhabited areas. The affected site is currently secure.
Flood-Fighting Operations At 171 Sites
The Water Resources Department said it has carried out flood-fighting operations at 171 locations across the state during the past week.
Embankment damage or leakage was reported at 14 of these sites. Repairs have been completed at 11 locations, while work is continuing at the remaining three, the department said.
The department is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of embankments and vulnerable points across Bihar. Chaudhary said the safety of the embankments remains central to protecting populated areas.
Technical adviser Manoj Raman, special secretary K.D. Prajjwal, engineer-in-chief Brajesh Mohan and other department officials attended the press conference.
