Have Torrential Rains Paralyzed Patna, Prompting an Orange Alert?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted life in Patna.
- Widespread waterlogging has affected transport and schools.
- An Orange Alert has been issued due to ongoing weather concerns.
- The Ganga River is rising, heightening flood risks.
- Local authorities are implementing fast-track drainage measures.
Patna, July 29 (NationPress) Continuous heavy rainfall since midnight Sunday has disrupted daily life in Bihar’s capital, Patna. Although the rains provided a respite from the oppressive heat, they also caused extensive waterlogging, impeded transportation, and forced school closures.
By Tuesday morning, several major areas -- Adalatganj, Rajendra Nagar, Kidwai Puri, Kankarbagh, Boring Road, Patliputra Colony, and the Patna Junction area -- were inundated with knee-deep water.
Among the most severely affected, Adalatganj saw rainwater infiltrating homes, damaging furniture, appliances, and books. Residents were seen relocating belongings to higher ground to mitigate losses.
At Patna Junction, travelers navigated through inundated platforms as auto-rickshaw and taxi services faced significant disruptions. Accumulated water on railway tracks also caused delays in train operations.
Numerous schools in Patna remained closed on Tuesday due to the overnight rainfall. Commuters and workers experienced long delays, with two-wheelers failing amid the flooded streets and cars inching through the chaos. Many employees reported difficulties reaching their workplaces.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Patna and neighboring districts, including Muzaffarpur, Saran, Vaishali, Buxar, Bhojpur, and Gaya. Continued heavy rainfall is anticipated over the next three to four days, with overcast conditions persisting.
The Ganga River is rising steadily, heightening flood risks in low-lying regions. The district administration has advised residents to avoid entering waterlogged areas.
“It has been raining continuously since last night. Water has entered our homes. We’re considering relocating to a safer area temporarily,” said Raju Singh, a resident of waterlogged Adalatganj.
Even areas adjacent to the BJP state headquarters suffered from widespread flooding.
However, District Magistrate Tyagarajan S.M. asserted that there was “no significant issue of waterlogging” in the city. He noted that Patna urban areas recorded 333.20 mm of rainfall by Monday evening, with the highest rainfall of 84.60 mm recorded in Patna Sadar, followed by 78.40 mm in Kankarbagh and 75.80 mm in Danapur.
“Due to intense rainfall over a short period, waterlogging has occurred in certain areas. Our teams from the Municipal Corporation and BUIDCo are working on expedited drainage solutions. Eighteen pumps are operating continuously at full capacity,” the DM stated.