76 schools to remain closed in Patna as Ganga flows above danger level

As the Ganga River continues to flow above the danger mark, the Patna district administration has announced an extension of the closure for 76 government schools in rural areas until September 26. This decision prioritizes the safety of students and staff amid ongoing flood-like conditions. In a circular issued by Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, it was confirmed that "76 schools across eight blocks of Patna district will remain closed due to rising water levels in the Ganga."

The closure was initially set to last until September 21; however, with no improvement in the situation, the district administration decided to extend it. As of Monday morning, the Ganga was reported to be flowing above the danger mark at several locations, including Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, and Digha Ghat, where the water levels measured 48.60 m, 41.76 m, and 50.45 m, respectively.

The rise in water levels has triggered concerns across multiple districts, particularly affecting low-lying areas. According to the state Disaster Management Department (DMD), Additional Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit held a virtual review meeting with officials from 12 districts to assess the situation and prepare for potential further flooding.

Currently, approximately 13.56 lakh people in 12 districts along the Ganga are grappling with flood-like conditions. The DMD reported that 376 village panchayats are significantly impacted, leading to the evacuation of many residents to relief camps. The affected districts include Patna, Buxar, Saran, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Katihar, and Munger.

In a related development, Kamrup Metro district has also announced school closures from September 24 to 27 due to rising temperatures and health risks. The District Commissioner’s decision aims to protect students from extreme heat, which has already caused illness in schools.