A flood-like situation prevailed in Bihar's capital today after it was lashed by very heavy rains since yesterday morning.
Most of the major roads, arterial routes, streets, lanes and bylanes in the city of over 20 lakh people were submerged under knee to waist-deep swirling waters which got accumulated due to clogged drains and choked sewerage system.
Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's house in Kankarbagh area of the capital got flooded, just as heavy water-logging was seen at the state secretariat and Legislative Assembly. Water entered many houses in various localities of the city.
"Barring a couple of districts in the southwest region, Bihar has received heavy to very heavy rainfall. Of all places in the state, Nalanda topped the chart with over 25.2 cm rainfall from 8.30 AM yesterday to 8.30 AM today, while Patna followed it with 18 cm during this period," IMD Bihar Director AK Sen told PTI.
Sen said such heavy rainfall over Bihar was due to the coincidence of the shifting of monsoon draft northwards towards the Himalayas and cyclonic turbulence over the state.
"Bihar, specially its northern belt stretching from West Champaran to Kishanganj, will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. IMD is maintaining a warning of keeping 'most vigil' during this period," added Sen.
Meanwhile, people faced difficulty in moving around as automobiles were unable to ply through the waterlogged roads. Many who ventured out were seen dragging and pushing their cars and motorcycles. There were also reports of roads subsiding at a few places in the city.
Businesses were hit badly as footfalls were low and commuters had to wade through knee-deep waters to reach Patna Junction and bus stands.
