GANGA WATER LEVEL RISES, FEAR OF FLOOD LOOMS LARGE

GANGA WATER LEVEL RISES, FEAR OF FLOOD LOOMS LARGE

9-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR--------------------------The water level of Ganga river in Bihar is rising rapidly these days, due to which the fear of flood has started deepening in many districts of the state. The Ganga river is currently flowing at a water level five meters higher than last year, while in Patna alone the water level of Ganga has reached two meters above. After the strict instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Water Resources Department has issued an alert regarding the major rivers of the state including Ganga.

The water level of Ganga river is continuously rising rapidly from Buxar to Kahalgaon. The Ganga river in Buxar is currently flowing at a level of 53.40 meters, whereas in 2024 it was 48.60 meters. The water level of Ganga at Digha Ghat in Patna has increased by 52 centimeters in the last 24 hours and it has now reached 46.13 meters, which is much higher than last year's 44.11 meters.

Location - 2025 Water Level (meters) - 2024 Water Level (meters)

Buxar - 53.40 - 48.60

Patna - Digha - 46.13 - 44.11

Gandhighat - 45.11 - 44.04

Hathidaah - 37.57 - 35.75

According to experts, the water level of Ganga in Patna is rising by more than two centimetres every hour. Its effect can be clearly seen in the coastal areas of Digha, Gandhighat, Hathidah, Munger, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon, where water has now started spreading to Diara areas and low-lying areas. Fields have been flooded at many places and people are being instructed to remain alert.

Due to continuous rains in Nepal, other major rivers of Bihar are also in spate. The water level of Kosi, Gandak, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati and Ghaghra rivers is also increasing rapidly. The Gandak river is flowing above the warning level in Gopalganj, while the Kosi river has reached close to the danger mark in Supaul. The water level of Bagmati and Budhi Gandak is also being monitored.

In view of the possibility of flood, the local administration has intensified preparations for rescue and relief operations. Special monitoring is being done on sensitive embankments and teams of the Water Resources Department are keeping an eye on the situation. Preparations of temporary relief camps, deployment of boats, and alert have been issued in low-lying areas in many districts including Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur. Climate experts say that due to irregularity of monsoon and heavy rainfall in Nepal, the water level of Ganga and other rivers may increase further for the next few days. In such a situation, people are being advised to follow the instructions of the administration.