Patna: The Ganga river has risen sharply again in Danapur diara area, with the river flowing around two feet above the danger mark, triggering a fresh flood crisis after an 11-day respite. The water level has risen by around three feet in the past three days, inundating seven panchayats and leaving several areas cut off.Three to four feet of water is flowing over roads and agricultural fields, while water has entered houses in low-lying areas. Residents of Kasimchak and other panchayats have been forced to move to higher ground.The fresh flooding has compounded farmers’ losses, with hundreds of hectares of maize, vegetables and fodder crops already damaged during the previous spell. The inundation has also affected Vishunpur Hospital, several schools and Akilpur police station.“Teachers posted at 49 schools in the Diara region are travelling to their institutions by steamer. They also have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the steamer points,” said Santosh Sharma, a resident of Ganghara village.Transport services have also been disrupted, with residents alleging that autorickshaw and jeep operators are charging higher fares. The energy department disconnected power supply to seven Diara panchayats on Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure.The water resources department has blocked drains and other openings with sand-filled bags to prevent Ganga water from entering urban and cantonment areas. Deonala has also been closed. The flood control centre recorded the Ganga’s water level at Deonala at 168.90 feet on Wednesday morning.Patna DM Kundan Kumar said, “The administration is on full alert and officials, including SDOs, are continuously monitoring the situation in the Diara area. The SDRF team has also been instructed to remain prepared for security and relief operations in the flood-affected panchayats.”The administration has directed officials to ensure adequate flood-fighting material near vulnerable embankments and prepare evacuation plans. SDOs and COs have also been asked to ensure that only safe boats and SDRF boats are used for evacuation.The DM said relief shelters would have arrangements for drinking water, toilets, lighting, food and medicines, with community kitchens and medical camps. Officials have also been instructed to stock essential medicines, including those for snakebites and dog bites, in anticipation of a possible deterioration in the situation.
