Schools in Patna reopen, public woes continue

Patna, Jul 23 (UNI) The capital of Bihar remained waterlogged following incessent rains, though government and private schools reopened today after a week's closure.

Near continuous torrents since July 13 had forced the state government to ask all school authorities in the city to announce three days' closure from July 15. But as the situation did not improve, the holidays had been extended till yesterday.

Attendance in most schools was reportedly thin as several residential colonies remained submerged under knee-deep water.

The rains brought untold miseries to lakhs of people.

The Patna Municipal Corporation pumped out accumulated water from affected areas like Kankarbagh, Rajendranagar, Sri Krishnanagar, Machuatoli and Pataliputra colony by running more than 60 pumps round-the-clock.

However, most low-lying areas in the city are still waterlogged causing fear of outbreak of water-borne diseases and other epidemics.

Meanwhile, following continuous rain across the state for the past few days most rivers including the Kosi,Kamalabalan, Gandak, Burhi-Gandak and the Ganges are flowing above the danger mark and posing the threat of breach of embankments at several places, particularly in north Bihar.

The problem is compounded with the release of water from southern Nepal, as most of the rivers in the neighbouring country are also in high spate.

Though there was no report of any flood related casualty till yesterday, at least 23 passengers were feared drowned today when a country boat capsised in the swollen Kosi in Purnea district.

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