Decrease in water level, hope to avert flood risk in Bihar: Vijay Chowdhury

After showing dangerous levels in the state, the flood of Ganga river has started to recede. The water level of the Ganges has started receding and the situation is expected to return to normal in the next few days. These things were said by the Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Mr. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. He said that currently the water level in many rivers of the state continues to decrease. If no new situation arises, people are likely to get more relief in the coming days.
He said during a press conference held in the conference room of the Water Resources Department on Monday that the nature of the floods in Bihar this year was different from previous years. Usually the rivers coming from Nepal—Bagmati, Kamla, Kosi and Gandak—flooded first and then the Ganges rose. This time, on the contrary, the flood situation first arose in the Ganga itself. The Ganga has surpassed all previous records at several points, amid several possible causes, including climate change.
At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the water level of the Ganga reached 50.58 meters this time, compared to the previous year's highest level of 50.52 meters. However, due to the diligence of the water resources department and the district administration, Patna city remained safe. On the other side of the Ganges, water spread in the low-lying areas of Diara region, where relief and relief operations are ongoing by the administration.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Pin Pin and Dardha rivers also presented a serious challenge this time. Pin Pin recorded a higher water level than the previous record, while the Dardha River also reached its highest ever level. Water has flowed in these rivers due to heavy rains in Jharkhand region. At many places water flowed over old small embankments and zamindari embankments. The officials of the department reached the spot and immediately brought the water leakage and minor erosion under control.
He said that the dams constructed in the state were built on scientific basis and the embankments of the department are safe. None of the large and modern embankments have had a major breach. In Kharek block of Bhagalpur, there was a dire situation of the Ganga diverting, but the water resources department officials kept the embankment safe through day and night vigilance and continuous efforts. This saved the residential areas of Nogchiya from major damage.
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Chaudhary said that the biggest relief at present is that the level of Ganga has started to come down. After a peak of 50.58 m it has decreased to about 50.40 m.
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Chaudhary said that relief work is going on by the government for the flood victims. Food, health facilities, separate arrangements for cattle and availability of fodder are being ensured in the relief camps. The process of providing other necessary assistance to farmers, including loss of crops, is also underway.
He said that relief and rescue works are being done under the detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prepared by former Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar to deal with floods. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is himself visiting the affected areas and assessing the situation. He also accompanied the Chief Minister to many places. The Chief Minister has directed the concerned officers to provide maximum assistance to the victims.
He hoped that if the current trend of declining water level continues, the situation in the Bihar flood-affected areas will soon move towards normalcy.