PATNA, Sept. 6 -- Aggravated by heavy downpours in the state and upstream areas of Nepal, the Ganga crossed its previous highest flood level (HFL) at Gandhi Ghat in Patna on Saturday, while floodwaters affected more than one million people across 11 districts. A state disaster management department (DMD) official said that more than 525 villages spread over 50 blocks and 201 gram panchayats in these districts have been inundated or devastated by the current spell of the floods. The affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar and Araria. Several rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghara, continued to flow above the danger mark at multiple locations. At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga rose by 10 cm in four hours to touch 50.53 metres by 10 a.m., one centimetre above the previous highest flood level of 50.52 metres recorded on August 21, 2016. The water resources department (WRD) forecast a further rise to 50.62 metres by Sunday morning and advised residents of low-lying areas to remain cautious. At Pandarak in Patna, the river also surpassed its earlier record. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary has directed ministers and secretaries in charge of 13 districts along the Ganga corridor-from Buxar to Katihar-to visit affected areas immediately, set up camps and personally supervise relief and rescue operations. He specifically instructed the Patna municipal corporation (PMC), district administration and WRD to remain on high alert around the urban protection embankments in the capital. Deputy chief minister and WRD minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary also visited the control and command centre to monitor the flood situation, especially in view of the rising water level in river Ganga. He also discussed the steps being taken to prevent flooding of localities in Patna from rivers like Ganga, Punpun and Dardha rivers. Relief measures are under way on a war footing. Thirty-eight community kitchens have served meals to over 120,000 people so far. Authorities have distributed more than 12,300 polythene sheets and 2,250 dry-ration packets. Eight hundred and fifty-eight boats are operating for evacuation and movement, while 27 SDRF teams and seven NDRF teams have been deployed. Fifty medical camps, 19 boat ambulances and 36 veterinary camps are also functioning. One relief camp in Vaishali is housing around 326 people. According to reports of the road construction department (RCD), the floods have done extensive damage and caused traffic interruptions on several national and state highways as well as major district roads. National Highway 131A (old alignment) in Katihar saw about 80 metres overtopped by half a metre of water; traffic remains blocked with temporary barricading in place. The NH-19 link to Doriganj-Chirand Tila in Saran has suffered pavement damage and overtopping of 200-450 mm across several stretches and is closed. Long sections of the under-construction NH-122B (Terasia to Bidupur) in Vaishali have 2-4 feet of water on the crust and flanks, forcing the authorities to suspect traffic. In Patna, portions of the Bhadra Ghat-Dedarganj riverside corridor and several city links remain submerged or restricted. Multiple roads in Saran (Sonepur and Chapra), Samastipur, Bhojpur and Khagaria report 1-5 feet of water flowing over the surface, with traffic either blocked or only partially open. Temporary protection using sand bags, bamboo piling and geo-bags continues wherever access is possible. Floodwaters have reached the Mokama stretch of the old NH-31 near Shivnar Durga Sthan after an embankment breach near Barahpur Bind Toli sent water surging towards More English and the old bypass; similar inundation has been reported on the highway at Badhiya, Jalalpur, Hathidah, Athmalgola and Aunta, disrupting the movement of smaller vehicles in these areas. Floodwaters from the Punpun river reached Bridge No. 21 near Jat Dumri on the Patna-Gaya section, forcing East Central Railway to suspend operations on the down line as a safety measure. Four MEMU services-63242 and 63244 (Gaya-Patna) and 63245 and 63247 (Patna-Gaya)-have been cancelled. Several other trains on the route are running three to four hours late. The up line remains operational at controlled speeds. Services will resume only after the water recedes and the section is inspected and declared safe. Bihar has received 60.8 mm of rainfall in September so far, 69% above normal. With further light to moderate rain forecast in several areas over the next two days, the Disaster Management Department and district administrations remain on continuous watch. Officials have been instructed to maintain special patrols along embankments and to prioritise the safety of residents living on the river-facing side....