Patna, the capital of Bihar, faced widespread disruption on Sunday as heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging across various parts of the city, including key government premises and residential areas. The downpour, which recorded 41.8 mm of rain, caused significant flooding in both posh and low-lying areas, bringing the city to a near standstill.
The waterlogged areas included some of Patna’s most prominent locations, such as Strand Road, Rajbansi Nagar, Boring Road, Bailey Road, and Patliputra Colony. The situation was exacerbated by the flooding of major roads, leading to severe traffic congestion and disrupting vehicular movement across the city. The heavy rains also impacted several hospitals, adding to the challenges faced by residents.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally inspected the situation, touring various affected areas to assess the extent of the waterlogging. His visit highlighted the severity of the flooding, as even the Bihar assembly premises and the official residences of several state ministers, located just a few hundred meters away, were inundated with water.
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Despite the widespread waterlogging, officials from the Bihar water resources department assured the public that the situation was not yet alarming. In an official bulletin, the department stated, “Rain in the past few days has raised the water level of Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Burhi Gandak, Mahananda and Kamla rivers in the state. Rivers are flowing above the danger mark at certain places in Patna, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Bagaha, Purnea, Supaul, Darbhanga, Khagaria and Jhanjharpur in the state.”
To address the ongoing crisis, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspected sump pump houses throughout the city and issued orders to ensure that the city does not experience such severe waterlogging in future periods of heavy rainfall. His directives underscored the need for immediate action to prevent further disruption to the daily lives of Patna’s residents.
In response to the unfolding situation, Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitin Nabin convened an emergency meeting after receiving multiple reports of waterlogging and distressing visuals shared on social media. These reports highlighted the lack of preparedness for such heavy rainfall and delays in the city’s response system.
The minister’s office issued a statement in which Nabin emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that all senior officers who were on leave should return to duty immediately and that no further leave would be sanctioned until September 30. This directive was part of a broader effort by the Bihar government to ensure that district administration officials across the state remain on high alert, as the water levels of several rivers continue to rise due to the relentless rainfall over the past two days.
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