Rivers show receding trend in north Bihar

PATNA/KHAGARIA: Major rivers showed receding trend on Monday, giving some respite to over 81 lakh people affected by floods in 16 districts of north Bihar. Weathermen also ruled out significant rainfall in the state over the next four days.
Rivers like Bagmati and Burhi Gandak, which wreaked havoc in parts of north Bihar, have come down below the corresponding danger level at most places. According to water resources department (WRD), the swollen Bagmati was flowing above danger level at only one out of total five flood gauges in Sitamarhi district. The turbulent Burhi Gandak was also either static or falling in Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and Khagaria districts.
According to official sources, at least 1,41,216 people in 124 villages across 39 panchayats have been affected by the floods in Khagaria district. Road communication remained affected in many areas. “Country boats are the only means of communication,” said Doman Mukhiya, a marginal farmer of Tilathi in Sakrohar panchayat under Beldaur block.
In West Champaran, the Gandak has been eroding its right bank at Harakhtola ward number 3 in Motipur panchayat under Thakaraha block for the last three days. Sources said it was because of receding water level in the river. Surendar Yadav, mukhiya of the panchayat, said the evacuated families were taking shelter at Pipra-Piprasi embankment.
Meanwhile, the discharge of water in Gandak river from Nepal through Valmikinagar barrage at 5pm stood at 1.77 lakh cusec and it was showing a falling trend.
Kamla Balan, Khiroi and Adhwara group of rivers were also flowing below danger level. Khiro river was above danger level at one flood gauge in Darbhanga district.
Altogether 33 teams of NDRF and SDRF were still involved in relief and rescue operations. According to disaster management department, 8.15 lakh people are affected by floods in 130 blocks spread over 16 districts. Altogether 25 people have died so far in the floods.
The Patna Meteorological Centre has predicted only light to moderate rainfall at a few places in the state over the next four days. “Monsoon activity was weak in Bihar over the last 24 hours. Light rainfall was observed at a few places. The eastern part of monsoon trough line was passing across south-eastern Uttar Pradesh and Daltonganj in Jharkhand towards the Bay of Bengal. Accordingly, few places in south Bihar are likely to receive light rainfall over the next 48 hours,” said Shailendra Kumar Patel, an official at Patna centre.