Another Congress leader Amlendu Kumar Pandey said: 'The embankment was constructed last year at a cost of Rs.792 crore but the breach has made it clear that money was looted by officials concerned.'

Till Friday, the district administration and engineers maintained that there was no threat to the embankment from the rising water level of Bagmati river. According to official sources, the embankment was repaired and strengthened last year.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a probe and has promised stern action against the erring officials.

Major rivers in north Bihar like Kosi, Gandak, Budhi and Bagmati are in spate following heavy rains in their catchment areas.

With heavy rainfall recorded in neighbouring Nepal also, the water levels of these rivers have been rising to dangerous levels for the last four to five days.