Patna, Sep 3: Amid the continuously rising water level of the Ganga and the growing threat of flooding in Bihar, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inspected the river on Thursday and reviewed the situation.

He assessed the rising water levels and issued necessary directions to officials, instructing them to ensure that people face minimal inconvenience and that all precautionary measures are completed in advance to protect lives and property.

Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also toured Patna and adjoining areas on Thursday to assess the flood situation.

He visited JP Setu to inspect the rising water level and flow of the Ganga before travelling to Saran to assess the river’s condition there.

Nitish Kumar also visited the six-lane bridge over the Ganga connecting Patna and Raghopur, where he reviewed the river’s flow and water level.

JD(U) National Working President, Sanjay Jha, accompanied him during the inspection.

Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Jha said water levels in most of Bihar’s major rivers, including the Ganga, had risen rapidly.

He attributed the situation partly to heavy rainfall and flooding in Nepal, which has increased the flow of rivers entering Bihar.

Jha said the state government had taken precautionary measures after receiving information about the surge in water from Nepal, which had helped prevent major loss of life and property so far.

He credited the proactive efforts of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and the Water Resources Department for taking timely measures to deal with the situation.

Jha said Nitish Kumar was concerned about the rising level of the Ganga and, therefore, personally reviewed the situation in Patna.

He noted that the river’s water level had surpassed the Highest Flood Level (HFL) recorded in Patna in 2016.

Despite the rise, Jha said Patna had experienced comparatively less disruption because water management and protection measures in areas falling within the river’s flow path had been strengthened over the past several years.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary conducted a high-level review of Bihar’s flood situation through video conferencing from the Water Resources Department’s Command and Control Centre.

During the review, he assessed river water levels and reports of cracks, damage and breaches in embankments across different districts.

He directed officials to remain on alert day and night and ensure immediate action in vulnerable areas.

The situation involving the Punpun and Dardha rivers in South Bihar was also reviewed.

Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the rising Ganga had resulted in breaches at several locations in Bhagalpur and triggered rapid erosion along the riverbank, creating a serious situation in the district.

Water Resources Department teams have been deployed extensively in Bhagalpur and other vulnerable areas to control the situation.

Emergency measures are being undertaken to strengthen embankments, including the deployment of mega geo-bags with the assistance of steamers to counter strong currents and erosion.

Officials and engineers from the Water Resources Department have been stationed directly at vulnerable embankments to oversee protection work.

At the same time, river and embankment conditions across Bihar are being monitored in real time from the Command and Control Centre in Patna to facilitate an immediate response to emergencies.

Vijay Kumar Chaudhary warned that the flood season would continue and that the threat could persist until early October.

He said the next one to one-and-a-half months would remain particularly challenging for the Water Resources Department and the state government.

According to data recorded on the morning of September 3, the Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at several locations in Patna and surrounding areas.

At Gandhi Ghat, the river was recorded at 49.71 metres, against a danger mark of 48.60 metres, putting it around 1.11 metres above the danger level.

At Hathidah in Mokama, the water level reached 42.96 metres, compared with a danger mark of 41.76 metres.

The river was, therefore, around 1.20 metres above the danger mark at Hathidah.

The water level at Digha Ghat was recorded at 51.60 metres. Another figure of 50.21 metres was also reported for Gandhi Ghat, although the latest official reading should be treated as the authoritative figure.

The Disaster Management Department has issued an alert in view of the rising Ganga.

According to forecasts from the Water Resources Department, the river at Gandhi Ghat could cross the Highest Flood Level on Thursday night.

Similarly, the Ganga at Hathidah in Mokama is expected to cross the HFL by the afternoon of September 4.

The administration has, therefore, been directed to remain fully prepared and exercise special caution in riverside and low-lying areas.

Residents of vulnerable areas in Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad have been urged to remain alert and follow all instructions issued by the administration.

The Disaster Management Department has appealed to people not to take unnecessary risks near rivers and to cooperate with officials in the event of evacuation or other emergency measures.

Mumbai, Sep 3: Amid ongoing speculation regarding his potential shift to national politics in New Delhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday firmly put an end to the rumours, clarifying that he will continue to serve in the state until at least 2029.

Speaking at the infra conclave organised by a Marathi TV channel, CM Fadnavis addressed the recurring reports about his move to the national Capital, noting that his future remains in the hands of his party leadership.

“My party and my leaders will decide my role. The day they decide, I will certainly go to Delhi. But as of today, it is my view that I am not going to Delhi until 2029,” he stated.

Dismissing the frequent media chatter, he added with a touch of humour: “Some of my well-wishers believe that going to Delhi would be a promotion for me, while others think that if I leave, a burden will be lifted off their heads. Whether people like it or not, my leaders will keep me in Maharashtra until 2029. Every two to three months, whenever someone lacks news or wants to create hype, they send me to Delhi. I actually enjoy it.”

The CM’s clarification comes after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, on Thursday made a dramatic claim, stating that despite Devendra Fadnavis ruling out a shift to national politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants him in New Delhi to entrust him with a major responsibility.

​Speaking to the media, Raut claimed that discussions regarding Fadnavis’ elevation are actively underway within the inner circles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). ​

“Prime Minister Modi wants to bring Devendra Fadnavis to Delhi and assign him a significant responsibility. This much I know for a fact,” he said.

​Elaborating further on the internal deliberations of the RSS, Raut claimed that the Sangh wants a key leader who is not currently part of the Union Cabinet to be appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.

​”According to information from within the RSS circles, the Sangh holds the view that a crucial leader who is not currently in the Central government should be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. The RSS believes that the individual slated to be PM Modi’s successor in the Cabinet should be positioned in the role of Deputy Prime Minister—and as far as I know, that person is currently not in Delhi,” Raut added.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis also outlined his vision for Maharashtra’s economic future, emphasising that the state is on the verge of achieving its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy. Highlighting the state’s current progress, he noted that while Maharashtra’s current growth rate stands at an impressive 8.8 per cent, it needs to cross the 10 per cent mark to meet its target within the decade.

“Many states dream of reaching a $1 trillion economy, but Maharashtra is closest to achieving it because we have already reached $660 billion,” Fadnavis said, adding that, “If we maintain a sustained growth rate, we will undoubtedly become a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”

Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a coordinated action to implement the directions issued by the court. The Supreme Court had issued the necessary directions regarding the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central area. As part of this process, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of stalls, units and shops, directing them to vacate the premises of Orchid City Centre Mall. Further, clear instructions have been issued that entry or use of the mall premises is prohibited until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority. A coordination meeting was recently held by the BMC’s ‘D’ ward. Officers of the concerned municipal departments, representatives of Nagpada Police Station and Best Undertaking as well as representatives associated with Orchid City Centre Mall also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the representatives of the mall management were directed to voluntarily and strictly comply with the order of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Orders In 2020, a fire broke out at the Orchid City Centre Mall located on Belasis Road in Mumbai Central. In this context, the Supreme Court issued directions on August 25, 2026. It should be strictly ensured that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall building which has been damaged due to fire shall not be used for any purpose until the developer completes comprehensive repairs of the entire structure. The building cannot be used in any manner until the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration is satisfied that the entire structure (including all floors) is completely safe for all activities and works and complies with all legal requirements. Directions issued by the court The Supreme Court has ordered that the entire building be kept completely sealed and no one should be allowed to enter the premises.

In light of the Supreme Court order, on the directions of the Supreme Court, it was decided during the meeting to conduct a joint operation to vacate the Orchid City Centre Mall building, involving the Building and Factory Department, Building Proposal Department and Mumbai Fire Brigade of the BMC. Accordingly, a joint notice has been issued to the concerned owners/developers as well as the users/occupants of the stalls, units and shops regarding the vacating of the building. Public notices prohibiting citizens and users from entering, using or occupying the building have been displayed in the premises of the mall. The notices clarify that the entire Orchid City Centre Mall cannot be used, and entry will remain strictly prohibited, until the Hon’ble. Supreme Court’s directions are followed and prior permission is taken from the competent authority. Meanwhile, instructions have been issued to disconnect the water supply of the mall, take appropriate action regarding the municipal license and disconnect the electricity supply (except for the electricity required for construction purposes). Nagpara Police has been directed to provide necessary police security for the smooth conduct of the operation and maintenance of law and order.

The BMC administration appeals to all concerned parties to voluntarily comply with the court’s directions. They are urged not to enter or use the premises of the mall until formal permission is obtained from the competent authority and to fully cooperate with the municipal and police administration. However, the administration has made it clear that if the directions are not followed, strict action as per the law and the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court will be taken regarding vacating and sealing the premises.
Meanwhile, the concerned departments of the Municipal Corporation will independently take necessary action within their respective legal jurisdiction. The administration has further stated that any future permissions regarding entry, use, or occupancy of the building will be granted by the Municipal Corporation acting as the competent authority, as per the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.