Patna: The water level of the Ganga river in Patna has dropped noticeably over the past 24 hours, but the Punpun river continues to rise, prolonging the plight of tens of thousands affected by floods.
Officials said on Sunday that the Ganga had fallen by 20–25cm at several ghats in the district since Saturday. In Maner, levels dipped from 53.15m to 52.90m; at Digha Ghat from 51.46m to 51.24m; at Gandhi Ghat from 50m to 49.89m; and at Hathidah from 43.21m to 43.13m. Conversely, Munger recorded a slight increase, from 39.81m to 39.87m. The Punpun river in Patna district rose from 51.89m to 52.01m.
Floodwaters have impacted nearly 99,570 residents across 24 panchayats in seven blocks, including Athmalgola, Barh, Danapur, Daniyawan, Maner, Mokama and Patna Sadar. The district administration has served meals to more than 26,000 people via six community kitchens, and housed 1,306 people in two relief camps. Distribution efforts have included 5,172 packets of dry rations, 5,383 polythene sheets and the operation of 104 boats for transportation.
District magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said disaster management teams were working to ensure food supply, health services, clean drinking water, veterinary facilities, and embankment monitoring. Special attention, he added, was being given to the needs of children, women, farmers and the elderly.
