Patna: Emergency repair work is underway in Bihar’s Jehanabad and Nalanda districts after embankments and small dams sustained serious damage following relentless rainfall in neighbouring Jharkhand. Bihar’s Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary confirmed on Saturday that restoration efforts are being carried out on a “war footing”.
The minister, addressing a press conference in Patna alongside Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Malla and Chief Engineer Sharad Kumar, said heavy discharge from rivers including Niranjana (Phalgu), Muhane, Uttar Koel, Sakri, and Panchane led to flooding and damage at multiple points.
On June 19 , the Uderasthan Barrage in Jehanabad released 73,067 cusecs of water at 9pm — exceeding last year’s maximum by over 4,400 cusecs. This surge caused the water level at Bandhuganj Kajve Gauge Station to reach a new record of 62.15 metres, surpassing the previous high by 0.15 metres.
Among the structures affected was the Zamindari Dam on the Lokain River in Ekangarsarai block of Nalanda district, which was breached near Keshopur village around 1pm the same day. Additional damage was reported to embankments along the Bhootahi, Dhowa and Mahatmain rivers, spanning areas of Nalanda, Jehanabad and Patna districts.
Chaudhary confirmed that two executive engineers and two assistant engineers have been dispatched from Patna to assist in the restoration work. He also announced the immediate suspension of seven officials, including executive and junior engineers, citing “gross negligence” and violations of departmental protocols.
“Initial departmental supervision has revealed a serious lapse in responsibility by the engineering staff assigned to flood control divisions in Ekangarsarai,” said Chaudhary. “Further investigation is underway, and additional disciplinary actions will follow based on the findings.”
