Patna goes under, fish in ICU

Flood threats loom large over Delhi, Old Yamuna Bridge closed

Heavy rainfall in Patna for two consecutive days created havoc as large parts of Bihar Capital were waterlogged but the worst situation was seen in the Nalanda Medical College & Hospital (NMCH) which was reduced to a floating hospital with rainwater gushing in its wards, operation theatre and ICU.

A video released by an agency showed fish swimming  inside the ICU of the second largest Government hospital NMCH. Patients were seen lying on beds and doctors and nurses didn’t dare to visit them due to ankle to knee-deep waterlogging. Many patients reportedly fled the hospital fearing more miseries. In some lower areas of Patna Medical College & hospital waterlogging was reported, however, the wards were safe. A part of city’s lifeline Beily Road caved in leading to closure of the road.

Meanwhile, the threat from the rising water-level in the Yamuna River looms large over Delhi, with the water-level gradually scaling upwards above the “danger-mark” since Saturday. Traffic movement on Old Yamuna Bridge was closed on Sunday evening.

The Delhi Government and authorities have literally “pulled up their socks” to deal with any emergency flood situation with arrangements to move people of low-lying areas to safer locations.

The authorities are engaged in rescue operations with over 1,000 families been evacuated till Sunday morning. Arrangements have been made to shift people to the safer locations like “school campuses” and “night shelters”.

According to the official flood forecast by the Central Water Commission (CWC), water level of Yamuna is expected to rise further and reach at 205.65 meters on Monday (danger level 204.83 meters). It had already observed an increase of approximately 0.30 meters on Sunday reaching at 205.50 meters as compared to 205.20 meters on Saturday.

Adequate numbers of boats have also been deployed by the authorities to rescue people in low-lying areas and deal with any emergency.

In Bihar, NMCH officials said pumps were used to flush out water and the work was still going on. An official said, “If there is no more rain we will be able to flush out the water fully. We are praying there is no more rain.” The official also said a roof of one part of the NMCH where the quarters of junior doctors are located also caved in but there was no casualty.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited Beily Road with top officials on Sunday. The road caved in at a place where a flyover is under construction and an underground metro rail track has been planned.

The incident has put a big question mark on the ambitious metro project. “The Road Department is working to restore the path but it will be reviewed as to what were the circumstances that led to this tragedy. The incident is a warning for us to be careful while taking up future projects, including an elevated road,” the CM said and directed the officials of the Road Department for a thorough probe and necessary measures to escape such incidents in future.

In Delhi, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been activated and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) too is on a standby. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited the low-lying areas around Akshardham and Pandav Nagar urging people to move to safer places.

Officials too made visit to the low-lying flood-prone areas to take stock of preparations regarding tackling emergency like situation. East Delhi’s District Magistrate K Mahesh visited the low-lying areas and said that the situation is “under control” and the Government is fully prepared to tackle emergency.

“As many as 67 boats have been deployed at 23 locations. We have made arrangements to shift the affected persons to school campuses and night shelters,” said an official. He said that although the river level was above the danger mark, the situation, as of now, is not worrisome.

“We have set up over 750 tents for about 1,000 families in East zone alone, apart from arrangements of food. We are shifting people living on the river bed to the nearest higher areas,” said an official.

After the water level of the Yamuna River have reached 205.20 meters on Saturday , 47 centimeters above the “danger mark”, authorities have pitched in for rescuing people from the low-lying areas. After the level exceeded the danger mark Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held an emergency meeting with top officials of his Government.

“Sisodia took stock of the ongoing evacuation work in the low-lying areas around Akshardham and Pandav Nagar,” said an official. In a meeting, Kejriwal had said that all departments have been put on high alert.

On Saturday, 6 lakh cusecs of water was reportedly released from the Hathini Kund Barrage at 6 pm. Following which, the Yamuna water level at the Barrage has crossed the danger mark of 90,000 cusecs.

Sisodia met the people living in the vicinity of the river and urged them to move to safer places, cautioning about the rising level of the Yamuna River. Many people have started moving to higher planes, another official said.

An alert was sounded on Saturday by the Delhi Government after the water level of the Yamuna River crossed the danger mark.

The Delhi Government has established a Flood Control Room (FCR) in the office of District Magistrate, East District at LM Bund, Geeta Colony, New Delhi. Also an “Emergency Operation Centre” is working 24X7 for monitoring the flood situation.

Helpline numbers 011-22428773, 22051234, 22501668 have been issued for the general public in addition to a toll free number 1077 which is operational 24 X 7. General public can also call at 1077 for any flood related complaint and help.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle for the next 4 days.