Patna: Authorities have issued flood alerts in many districts of India’s Bihar state.
Bihar is grappling with floods following continuous rains for the past five days.
More than 12 people have been killed so far, after drowning in floodwaters, reports.
Further heavy downpours have been forecast in many districts of east and north Bihar, amid continuing rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal.
At the time of writing, all the major rivers were flowing in spate while, in many areas, overflowing rivers have breached embankments, or overtopped embankments, inundating many villages.
The situation was more critical in three districts — East Champaran, Sitamarhi and Araria.
In East Champaran, rain waters had flooded several areas, disrupting road and railway traffic.
Authorities closed schools and enforced prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The same prohibitory order had been enforced in several districts last month when severe heatwaves killed 107 people.
The flood situation had also worsened in neighbouring Sitamarhi district where all schools have been closed until July 20.
The situation eastern Bihar districts was no better with floodwaters also inundating many villages, prompting villagers to shift to safer areas.
On Friday, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting with the officials of the water resources and disaster management departments to review the preparation to tackle flood situation in the state.
After reviewing the situation, the chief minister directed the authorities to keep a close watch on the rising water level of rivers and pressures on embankments, if any, and be ready for any emergency situation.
According to a report of the water resources department, all major rivers were flowing above danger level in the state owing to heavy rains.
As per the reports, many districts such as Siwan, Sheohar, West Champaran, east Champaran, Gopalganj, Kishanganj, Madhubani and Araia received heavy rainfall, triggering flood-like situations, while heavy rainfall had been predicted in the next 24 hours.
A report by the Central Water Commission said water levels in several rivers flowing though the state, including the Baghmati, Gandak, Kamla Balan, Kosi and Mahanada, were expected to rise in the next 24 hours.
Water resources minister Sanjay Jha, however, told the media that there was no need for panic as the state government was on maximum alert.
He also claimed the embankments of Kosi which breached in 2008 is safe and its repair works have been totally completed.
More than five million people were displaced when Kosi flowed through hundreds of villages settled in five districts of north Bihar for months after breaching its mud embankments, killing over a thousand and damaging thousands of homes.
