Patna: Water levels in several rivers across Bihar continued to fluctuate on Monday, with the Ganga, Gandak and Kosi flowing above the danger mark at some locations and raising concerns over a possible worsening of the flood situation. The state govt has placed 15 districts on high alert as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas and affected thousands of people.Amid the flood situation, the state govt issued an advisory urging people not to consume fish caught from floodwaters. It warned that fish escaping from ponds, rivers and lakes may come into contact with polluted drains, dead animals and decomposing matter, making them vulnerable to contamination by bacteria, viruses and fungi.“Do not eat fish caught in floodwaters until conditions stabilise,” the advisory warned.Meanwhile, the Ganga showed a rising trend at Buxar, Maner, Digha Ghat and Gandhi Ghat in Patna. However, the river was flowing near or below the danger level at most places in the state, except Hathidah, where it remained above the red mark. The Sone river was also rising near Koilwar, though its water level was still below the danger mark. The Punpun, meanwhile, continued to flow above the danger level at Sripalpur near Patna.In Bhagalpur district, eight houses in Sabour were swallowed by the Ganga following severe bank erosion, highlighting the threat faced by settlements along the riverbanks. The Gandak crossed the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Bagaha, triggering concern in downstream areas.Floodwaters have inundated several low-lying areas of Katihar, affecting more than 40,000 people. Areas in Kursela, Barari, Manihari and Amdabad have also been affected. Meanwhile, the swelling Gandak has caused panic among residents of vulnerable areas in Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Champaran and Saran districts.Officials said the water level of the Sone is expected to rise further due to continued inflow into the Bansagar reservoir in Madhya Pradesh and rainfall in the Karamchat Dam catchment area.Meanwhile, fishermen in several Gandak-belt districts reported catching unusually large and unfamiliar fish swept downstream by the swollen river, adding to the curiosity surrounding the flood situation.
