Patna: Following incessant heavy rainfall across Bihar, several rivers in the state are in spate, leading to flood-like conditions in many areas. The danger has now extended to Patna, with the Central Water Commission (CWC) issuing a serious flood warning for parts of the capital, specifically the Dhanarua and Masaurhi blocks.
The CWC’s alert highlights the severe swelling of the Dardha river, which has already wreaked havoc in Jehanabad district for the past two days. Its water level has now reached a critically dangerous point in Patna.
Dardha River Breaches Records, Rising Rapidly
As of 8:00 PM on Thursday, the Dardha river at Kolhachak in Patna district was flowing in a severe flood situation. Its water level was recorded at 55.99 meters, surpassing its danger mark of 55.48 meters by 0.51 meters. Alarmingly, the river’s water level is rising at a rate of 40 mm per hour.
The current water level of 55.99 meters at Kolhachak matches the highest level recorded in 2019. However, projections indicate that the river’s water level is expected to cross its old record tonight, significantly increasing the risk of flood devastation in parts of Patna. The CWC has issued a full alert regarding this impending danger.
Unprepared Residents Face Potential Devastation
Kolhachak village falls within Patna’s Dhanarua area. If the river breaches its banks, a large swathe of land from Dhanarua to Masaurhi could face severe flooding. A particular concern is that residents in these areas lack prior experience in dealing with floods, which could exacerbate their difficulties in the event of inundation.
The Dardha is a seasonal river that flows into parts of Patna district from Jehanabad. Due to heavy rains, it has been in spate for two days, causing flood-like situations in many parts of Jehanabad. Water from the Dardha river has already entered numerous homes in the low-lying areas of Jehanabad city, and traffic on the road leading to SS College has come to a halt due to rising river water on the Jafarganj culvert. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparing for potential relief efforts.
