Authorities warn of flood in Patna

Patna,(BiharTimes): The ghost of 1975 is haunting Patniates as water of Ganga entered parts of Patna Sadar, Danapur, Bakhtiyarpur, Maner, Fatuha, Barh, Athmalgola and Mokama blocks on Wednesday.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, along with the chief secretary, made an aerial survey and reviewed the situation with the officials. He surveyed the points and the drainage channels through which flood waters can enter the city. These channels are being sealed as a precautionary measure. This may cause water-logging as the water of drains are unable to fall in Ganga.

Later, he held a meeting with chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha, water resources department principal secretary Arun Kumar Singh, CM’s principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, urban development department secretary S Siddhartha, Patna DM N Saravana Kumar and other senior officials. The CM also surveyed the different ghats along the Ganga.

The CM directed the officials to gear up the relief and rehabilitation works in the flood-hit areas.
The chief secretary said a team of officials will chalk out a plan to protect the city from the possible floods.

There is panic like situation at ghats with people moving to safer places. Sandbags are being stacked to stop the water from entering the residential areas.

Water resources department minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhary, who visited various ghats on Tuesday, said there was no imminent danger to Patna but maximum alert has been sounded to meet any eventuality.

However, one positive aspect is that the discharge of water from Sone into Ganga has come down. Thus it is expected that the fear of flood would recede in the days to come.