Patna: Southwest monsoon activity continues to bring rainfall across various parts of Bihar. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for several areas in the northeast and north-south regions of the state, including Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and West Champaran.

Over the next twenty-four hours, strong winds accompanied by rain are expected in several locations across south-central Bihar, including Patna, Nalanda, Begusarai, and Khagaria. There is also a possibility of lightning strikes in some areas. In the last twenty-four hours, Purauni in Madhepura district recorded the highest rainfall of 64.2 millimeters.

In Supaul district, the water level of the Kosi River has decreased, but monitoring has been intensified due to the significant pressure on the river embankments. By 4 PM on Wednesday, over 1.73 lakh cusecs of water were released from the Kosi Barrage in Nepal, while 1.11 lakh cusecs were released from the Barah catchment area in Nepal. Despite the drop in water levels, pressure on the embankments remains. In light of the heavy rain warning, the administration has increased vigilance. District Magistrate Sawan Kumar inspected the Eastern Kosi Embankment and spurs, directing engineers to ensure regular monitoring.

In Katihar district, continuous rainfall has led to a rise in the water levels of the Mahananda and other rivers, increasing the risk of erosion in several areas. The water levels of the Ganga, Mahananda, Kosi, and Barandi rivers are continuously rising. According to the flood control room, the Mahananda River's water level has increased by up to 55 centimeters in several places. The rising river levels have created a climate of fear among residents in riparian areas due to erosion. The district administration has accelerated flood prevention work in erosion-affected zones.

Over the past 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall was recorded in most parts of south-central and southeast Bihar. Several districts in northeast and southwest Bihar also experienced good rainfall. The highest rainfall, 64.2 mm, was recorded in the Purauni area of Purnia district. Other areas that received good rainfall include Sahebpur Kamal, Purnahiya, Chausa, Tankuppa, Kolgaon, and Parbatta.