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Once again the ferocious form of nature is being seen in Patna, the capital of Bihar. The water level of River Ganga is continuously rising rapidly and has crossed the old record of ‘Highest Flood Level’ at Patna’s main Gandhi Ghat. The situation has become so serious that water has started spreading rapidly in the low-lying areas and Diara areas situated on the banks of the river, due to which the local people are left breathless. The administration is fully prepared and is constantly keeping a close watch on the situation, but life seems to be getting disrupted due to the natural disaster.
The sight currently being seen at Gandhi Ghat is enough to scare any common man. Torrential rains and continuous inundation of water coming from the upper catchment areas have made the attitude of Ganga extremely aggressive. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC) report, the water level of Ganga in Patna has reached its highest historical level, leaving the danger mark far behind and has even crossed it at many points. The stairs of the ghats have been completely submerged and the water is now moving towards the roads and settlements. Sailors and local shopkeepers have been instructed to go to safe places, because this strong flow of Ganga can take a severe form at any time.
Water leakage has started in the areas near Gandhi Ghat as well as in the low lying areas of Collectorate Ghat, Mahendru Ghat, Digha and Bankipur areas of Patna. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the district administration has issued a high alert. People living in settlements where there is the highest risk of water entering are being appealed to go to safe places and relief camps. Local residents say that they had not expected that the water level would rise so fast. The continuous increase in the last few days has given people sleepless nights. Farmers and cattle herders are most worried because they are facing a big challenge of saving their cattle and fodder.
From a geographical point of view, the geography of Patna is such that even a slight increase in the water level of Ganga affects a large part of the city. In the present situation, areas like Diara area of Patna district, Maner, Danapur, Digha, Kangan Ghat and Khajekalan of Patna City remain the most sensitive. Water is visible everywhere in these areas. Communication routes have been cut due to which boats have to be resorted to for transportation. The district administration has instructed boat drivers not to overload, because any kind of carelessness in strong currents can prove costly. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in sensitive areas so that rescue operations can be carried out immediately in case of emergency.
Bihar government and Patna district administration have become fully active to deal with this possible disaster. Flood affected areas are also being continuously reviewed from the Chief Minister level. The District Magistrate of Patna himself is taking stock of the situation at the field level. Instructions have been given to make proper arrangements for electricity, water, medicine and food in the relief camps so that the displaced people do not have to face any kind of inconvenience. Medical teams have also been put on alert mode so that waterborne diseases can be dealt with in time. The Health Department has issued special instructions to distribute chlorine tablets and ORS packets on a large scale in flood affected areas.
Experts of Meteorological Center and Water Resources Department believe that the situation may remain challenging for some more days to come. The pressure of water coming continuously from other rivers of Nepal and North Bihar will still remain on Ganga. In such a situation, the people of Patna have been advised to take special precautions. An appeal is being made to avoid going towards the river ghats unnecessarily. Constant updates are being shared through social media and local administration so that accurate information can reach the public at the right time. In this time of disaster, cooperation of citizens and promptness of administration is the only way to overcome this crisis.