Major rivers in Bihar in spate, Patna still waterlogged

Patna, Jul 19 (UNI) Incessant rain since last night has flooded more areas in Patna and elsewhere in Bihar, while several major rivers are in spate bringing fresh worries to the administration.

Official sources said here today that as a result of continuous downpour since last evening, the threat of a flash flood was now looming large over several north and south Bihar distircts as most of the major rivers in the state had crossed the danger mark.

Among the major rivers now in spate were the Kosi, Bagmati and Punpun and all of them were still rising, threatening breach of embankments at any moment.

Describing the threat as 'alarming', Central Water Commission sources here said river Punpun was flowing 160 cm above the danger mark at Sripalpur, while the Bagmati was flowing 49 cm above the red level at Benibad in Darbhanga district and the Kosi 11 cm above the danger level at Basua.

The Ganges, Ghaghra, Burhi-Gandak and Kamalabalan were also reportedly in spate, the sources added.

An estimated population of more than one million was threatened, they said, adding that close vigil was being maintained to asses the situation.

Meanwhile, after a day's respite the heavy downpour since last night flooded several fresh low-lying areas of the city, while the woes of thousands of residents of already affected areas had been augmented with no sign of the accumulated knee-deep water receding.

The local Met office recorded more than 35 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours which led to further waterlogging thereby frustrating ''all out efforts'' of the Patna Municipal Corporation to pump out the water.

The local Met office stated that the sky would remain overcast throughout the day today with possibility of further heavy to very heavy rain in several areas during the next 24 hours.

UNI JB-ABA DPM KLC1442