Patna, Oct. 1 -- With several parts of Bihar reeling under floods, the next 48 hours are being described as critical as water levels in major rivers continue to rise. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said the state government was fully alert and keeping a close watch on the situation.

Choudhary said special monitoring had been ordered for the next 48 hours, with the government keeping a constant watch on the flood situation and the safety of embankments. He said all necessary measures were being taken and assistance had also been sought from the Air Force for relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister visited J.P. Ganga Path in Patna to inspect the rising water level of the Ganga and issued necessary directions to officia...