Flood-like situation in many low-lying areas of Bihar after heavy rain

Torrential rain and waterlogging on Friday triggered a flood-like situation in several low-lying areas of Bihar such as Araria, Purnea, Madhepura, Saharsa, Jamui, Katihar and Banka districts, officials said.

The state capital of Bihar, Patna received 53.45 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am, while Raniganj recorded 90.8 mm, Purnea (77.5 mm), Madhepura (75 mm), Sharsha (68.8 mm), Jamui (67.3 mm), Purnea (67 mm), Katihar (64.5 mm) and Banka (56 mm), according to Met Department data.

The weather office has issued an alert for light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied with rain in districts such as Arwal, Bhojpur, Buxar, Gaya, Jamui, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Rohtas, Saran and Vaishali.

Meanwhile, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) claimed that rainwater was drained in the shortest time possible despite heavy rain in the last two days.

Efforts are underway to drain water in other low-lying areas of the state, the officials added.

The situation in Bihar worsened after an increase in the water level of the Bagmati River on Sunday following floods in Assam.

Aurai Circle Officer Ramanand Sagar said that the water level rose suddenly in the Bagmati River but all the preparations to tackle the situation are done.

Aurai Zonal Officer Ramanand Sagar said, "Preparations had been made before the floods came but there has been a considerable increase in the water level in the stream above the Bagmati River. Because of this, the Chachari bridge collapsed. We are getting boats arranged so that people do not have any problem going to and fro."

A situation of panic was created due to the floods in Bihar. The Chachari bridge of Madhuban Pratap in Aurai and Harpur Ghat in Katra was destroyed completely.

"Every year we have to face the horrors of floods. Since late night, there has been a significant rise in the water level of the Bagmati River and because of this, water has filled up on both sides of the Pipa bridge," a villager Rajesh Kumar said.

(With inputs from PTI)