Patna: The flood situation in Bihar continues to remain critical, with nearly 49.67 lakh people across 15 districts still affected by floodwaters. Around 575 gram panchayats remain inundated, while several rivers in north Bihar are flowing above their danger marks.
Amid the continuing crisis, the Bihar government has announced financial assistance for flood-affected families. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is scheduled to transfer Rs 7,000 each through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of 8,27,472 affected families on Tuesday.
According to the Disaster Management Department, details of all 8,27,472 families had been collected from the affected districts by Monday evening. A total of Rs 579.23 crore will be distributed as ex-gratia assistance.
The affected districts include Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia, Madhepura and Arwal.
Several rivers continue to flow above danger levels
The flood situation remains particularly serious in north Bihar, where several rivers are flowing above their respective danger marks.
The Kosi is flowing 114 cm above the danger mark at Baltara in Khagaria and 125 cm above the mark at Kursela in Katihar. The Bagmati is 31 cm above the danger level at Benibad in Muzaffarpur, while the Budhi Gandak is 134 cm above the danger mark in Khagaria. The Ghaghara is flowing 34 cm above the danger level at Darauli in Siwan.
Overall, floodwaters have affected around 2,360 villages across 15 districts, according to the latest situation assessment.
Central team to assess flood damage
A central government team will visit Bihar to assess the damage caused by the floods.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had informed him about the visit. The team has been constituted following directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will assess the extent of damage caused by the flooding.
The team, led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is scheduled to visit Bihar on September 16.
IMD issues yellow alert for 22 districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 22 districts of Bihar for Tuesday, warning of thunderstorms and lightning.
The continuing rainfall has added to difficulties in several flood-hit areas.
In Supaul, around an hour of intense rainfall left parts of the East-West Corridor NH-27 and NH-106 submerged under nearly two feet of water in Raghopur.
Heavy rain was also reported from parts of Araria and Patna.
In Saran’s Baniapur, a person died after being struck by lightning, while another person was seriously injured. The incident occurred when people were grazing cattle in a field during sudden rainfall.
In Darbhanga’s Nista village under the Singhwara police station area, lightning struck an 11,000-volt power line on Monday evening, causing the wire to snap.
Ganga cruise remains stranded in Bhagalpur
A Rajmahal Ganga cruise travelling from Kolkata to Varanasi has remained stranded in Bhagalpur for nearly six days due to the rising water level in the Ganga.
The cruise crossed Vikramshila Setu and reached Bhagalpur on September 5. It has remained anchored in the Ganga since September 6.
The 11 tourists onboard, including nine foreign nationals, have been evacuated, according to the available information.
Meanwhile, two brothers drowned while bathing in Khagaria. In Begusarai, a compounder also died after drowning in floodwaters.
More rain expected over the next three days
The weather system is expected to remain active across Bihar over the next few days.
On September 16, light rain is likely in Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar. Parts of Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Jehanabad, Nawada and Gaya may also receive rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.
On September 17, rainfall may intensify in some areas. Patna is likely to remain cloudy throughout the day, with moderate rain possible. Light rain is expected in Nalanda and adjoining areas, while several north Bihar districts, including Darbhanga, may witness thunderstorms and rain.
On September 18, light rain and thunderstorms are likely in Patna and some other districts. Patna may receive rain once or twice during the day, while several districts in north Bihar may remain cloudy with chances of light rainfall.
Bihar still records 35% rainfall deficit
Despite the ongoing floods, Bihar continues to record a significant rainfall deficit for the current monsoon season.
The state should have received around 883 mm of rainfall so far, but has recorded only 571.9 mm, representing a 35% deficit against the long-term average.
During the past 24 hours, Kishanganj recorded 75 mm of rainfall, followed by Katihar at 38 mm, Banka at 36.6 mm, Purnia at 29 mm and Munger at 26 mm.
With rivers continuing to flow above danger levels and more rain forecast in several districts, authorities remain on alert as Bihar battles a prolonged flood situation.
