CLOUDBURST IN HIMACHAL CAUSES DEVASTATION IN BIHAR

CLOUDBURST IN HIMACHAL CAUSES DEVASTATION IN BIHAR

3-JULY-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------Due to cloudburst in Himachal, Ganga water level in Bihar increased rapidly, 1.66 meters rise in Buxar. Heavy rise expected in Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur in the next 24 hours, flood alert issued.

The effect of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh has started showing on the Ganga river in Bihar. After the recent cloudburst incidents in Himachal, heavy rain water has entered the border of Bihar via Uttar Pradesh. This has increased the water level of Ganga rapidly, due to which the possibility of flood has now increased. According to the report of the Central Water Commission, the water level of Ganga in Buxar increased by 1.66 meters on Wednesday. The Water Resources Department has issued a flood alert in all the districts adjoining the Ganga and engineers have been instructed to be ready to monitor the embankments.

There is a possibility of a significant increase in the water level of Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna on Thursday, July 3. There may be a huge increase in the water level in Munger and Sultanganj by Friday morning, and in Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon by evening. Rain in the districts situated on the banks of Ganga in the last 24 hours has also partially increased the water level. On Wednesday, an increase of 27 cm was recorded at Digha Ghat, 19 cm at Gandhi Ghat, 16 cm at Hathidah, 12 cm at Munger, 8 cm at Bhagalpur and 10 cm at Kahalgaon.

Aditya Prakash, Executive Engineer of Water Resources Department, has said that the water level in Ganga is likely to increase further. The department has ordered to keep a close watch on all embankments and be prepared to deal with any emergency. Incidents of cloudburst in Himachal have increased the water level in rivers like Beas and Sutlej, which is affecting the Ganga. Bihar's districts like Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Bhagalpur are in the danger of floods.

The local administration and disaster management department have been asked to remain alert and prepare for relief work. People have been appealed to avoid going to the river banks and follow the warnings of the administration. Bihar already has waterlogging in many areas due to monsoon rains and the rising water level of the Ganges can further aggravate the flood risk.