Patna: The opening of all 109 gates of the Farakka barrage in West Bengal to discharge floodwaters is expected to bring some relief to flood-hit areas of eastern Bihar. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary also said on Monday that the flood situation could ease over the next two to three days as the Ganga recorded a fall of about 17-18cm at several points.The gates have remained open for the past 24 hours, with the barrage releasing 14.44 lakh cusecs of water downstream. Another 41,000 cusecs is being discharged through the Hooghly feeder canal, taking the total outflow to 14.85 lakh cusecs, according to the Bihar water resources department (WRD).The increased discharge is aimed at reducing pressure from the swollen Ganga on both sides of the river downstream and is also expected to ease pressure in its upper reaches.The flood situation showed a noticeable improvement in Patna, with the Ganga maintaining a declining trend at key locations. At 2pm, the river was 1.25 metres above the danger level at Digha, 1.76 metres above it at Gandhi Ghat and 1.72 metres above it at Hathidah.At Gandhi Ghat, the water level stood at 50.40 metres, down 18cm over the past 24 hours. The decline was 16cm at Hathidah during the same period.The discharge is expected to provide some relief to large stretches of flood-affected land, including diara areas, in eastern Bihar. Bhagalpur and Katihar remain among the worst-affected districts, with inundation reported in 10 blocks of Bhagalpur and six blocks of Katihar, including Kursela, Barari, Manihari and Amdabad.The severity of the situation in Bhagalpur can be gauged from the Ganga flowing 4.60 metres above the danger level at Kahalgaon.Floodwaters have also entered several low-lying areas of Bhagalpur town, affecting parts of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, the TNB and Marwari College campuses, PG Hostel, Professors’ Colony, Budha Nath temple, Bank Colony and Bihar College of Engineering, among other areas.According to the disaster management department (DMD), the number of flood-affected people in the state has risen to more than 27 lakh across 423 panchayats and 74 blocks in 13 districts. As many as 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.Meanwhile, discharge through the Indrapuri barrage on the Sone increased slightly from 1.33 lakh cusecs at 10am to 1.39 lakh cusecs at 2pm.Discharge through the Birpur barrage on the Kosi rose from 1.98 lakh cusecs at 10am to 2 lakh cusecs at 2pm, while the discharge through the Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak fell to 1.19 lakh cusecs.The Burhi Gandak continued to exert pressure in Khagaria district.The WRD on Monday sounded a general alert for the administration and residents of five eastern Bihar districts — Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar.Speaking to reporters after visiting flood-hit areas of Vaishali and Saran districts, the CM said nearly 15 lakh cusecs of water was being continuously released from the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. Officials were monitoring river levels and inundated settlements round the clock, he said, adding that the gov was working at every level to provide relief to affected residents.“At present, there is a disaster situation, and at such a time the state govt is standing completely with the people. All kinds of assistance are being made available to flood-affected people. Arrangements have been made for food, treatment, education and other essential facilities for the affected families,” Choudhary said.He said district administrations were reviewing conditions at each level and coordinating rescue, relief and medical support. Once water levels recede and the situation normalises, teams will inspect every household, assess losses and ensure that all possible assistance is provided to flood-hit families, he said.Choudhary said the state had also held discussions with the Central Water Commission on measures to keep the Ganga within a defined channel along vulnerable stretches. Such steps, he said, were needed to provide lasting relief to communities facing recurring floods each year.
