By IANS
Patna : The Bihar government has sounded an alert after swollen rivers flowing from Nepal inundated hundreds of villages in the northern districts and damaged river embankments.
The situation is expected to worsen because of the heavy rains in the districts bordering Nepal, officials said.
The worst hit districts are Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Khagaria and Darbhanga. According to media reports, about 400 villages have gone under water.
The left embankment of river Bagmati has been damaged. Floodwaters have also cut off several areas in the districts. Cracks have appeared in other river embankments too.
In Muzaffarpur, authorities have banned the movement of traffic on National Highway 77 as a precaution.
According to the Central Water Commission, the water levels in the Bagmati, Kosi, Gandak, Ganga and Punpun rivers are nearing the danger mark.
The administration has started rescue and relief operations. Private boats have been hired to rescue the marooned.