Ganga above danger mark in Bihar, 33 rescue teams, 700 boats deployed

As well as at Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger, ganga above danger mark in Bihar, 33 rescue teams, 700 boats deployed According to authorities, the Ganga is flowing above the danger mark at Digha and Gandhi Ghat in Patna Sadar, Hathidah in Mokama.

Key points

• The Gandak is above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj's Sidhwalia and at Hajipur in Vaishali.
• Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, at present leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar.
• On Friday, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an aerial survey of the flood situation.
• Community kitchens have been set up in Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali and other districts.
• Partially submerged houses after the rise in Ganga water level, in Vaishali district on Friday.

Partially submerged houses after the rise in Ganga water level, in Vaishali district on Friday. (ANI).

Bihar administration has deployed 33 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in flood-sensitive districts as rising water levels in a number of major rivers continue to affect parts of the state, the Disaster Management department noted on Friday.

"Six NDRF and 27 SDRF teams have been positioned in vulnerable districts and are on round-the-clock standby for relief and rescue operations, " an official remarked, adding that 693 administration boats are additionally being operated throughout affected areas to facilitate movement and evacuation to safer locations.

As well as at Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger, according to authorities, the Ganga is flowing above the danger mark at Digha and Gandhi Ghat in Patna Sadar, Hathidah in Mokama. The Gandak is above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj's Sidhwalia and at Hajipur in Vaishali. The Kosi has crossed the danger mark at Baltara in Khagaria's Gogri and Kursela in Katihar. While the Punpun is above it at Sripalpur in Patna and so is the Ghaghra at Darauli in Siwan, the Budhi Gandak is above the mark at Khagaria.

At a high-level session with office-holders, he further reviewed the flood situation, embankments and relief measures, directing authorities to ensure timely delivery of relief and essential services to affected residents.

District magistrates and superintendents of police in all affected districts were asked to remain in their jurisdictions, prepare lists of affected individuals, and provide immediate relief.

Authorities were additionally directed to ensure uninterrupted food and other supplies through flood relief camps and community kitchens, maintain continuous surveillance of vulnerable and low-lying areas, and have the Water Resources department continuously monitor embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur.

Authorities stated light to moderate rainfall is forecast over the next few days.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the state's Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources department advised individuals against consuming unidentified or unusual- appearing fish reaching Bihar along with the floodwaters from Nepal.

In practice, the advisory cautioned that "flood-displaced fish can become contaminated with bacteria, viruses and fungi after exposure to sewage, dead animals and other waste", and called on individuals to avoid fish caught from floodwaters until conditions stabilise. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, at present leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu's portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social problems: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India's evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India's urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic problems. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu's deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. For context, a trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates throughout both traditional and digital media platforms.

For now, ganga above danger mark in Bihar, 33 rescue teams, 700 boats deployed remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.