Bhagalpur: The Ganga river is rising fast in Bhagalpur, causing floods in many areas. Water has entered the City College area behind Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University and the park below Budhanath temple is also under water. The hostel road of the university is flooded, making it hard for students to walk to their classes. Due to the high water level, drainage is blocked and the water is not going away.
In Navgachiya’s Ismailpur area, water levels are rising quickly. People there are leaving their homes and moving to safer places. The Water Resources Department has issued an alert for all people living near the river. Locals fear that water will rise even more in the next three to four days.
The situation is similar in Sultanganj, where the Ganga has risen by 44 cm in the last 24 hours. The river is now flowing at 34.46 metres, just four cm below the danger mark of 34.50 metres. About two lakh devotees are still taking a holy dip daily in the Uttarvahini Ganga for the Shravani Mela. For their safety, poles and nets have been put up along the banks.
Floods have also caused erosion of farmland. Near Tofil village, about three bighas of land have been swallowed by the river. Erosion has started near Anthavan village as well. Villagers are worried because geo bags used to stop erosion are sinking in the water. The Water Resources Department said repair work is going on and more geo bags are being placed to protect the embankment.
