Flood conditions across Bihar remain serious, with around 46.88 lakh people affected across 15 districts as several major rivers continue to flow above their danger marks. Continuous rainfall across Bihar, along with heavy rain in Nepal’s catchment areas, has caused rivers and streams to swell, leaving hundreds of villages surrounded by floodwater.
According to the Disaster Management Department, 561 gram panchayats across 88 blocks have been affected. The flood-hit districts include Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria.
Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar are among the worst-affected areas. The situation has become more challenging as Bihar has already received around 90 mm of rainfall in September, about 20 per cent above normal.
Bihar rivers above danger mark raise fresh concerns
Several important rivers remain above their danger levels at multiple locations. The Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.62 metres on Friday morning, about 2.12 metres above the danger mark, although officials reported that the water level there was gradually falling.
The Gandak at Dumriya Ghat, Kosi at Baltara and Kursela, Burhi Gandak at Khagaria and Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger were also above danger levels.
The Punpun at Sripalpur, Bagmati at Benibad and Ghaghra at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan have also crossed warning levels. Authorities are closely monitoring river levels as even moderate additional rainfall could worsen flooding in low-lying areas.
Bihar flood relief operations expand across affected districts
Bihar flood relief operations have been stepped up as thousands of families require food, shelter, transport and medical support. A total of 1,194 community kitchens are operating in affected districts, while 15 relief camps are providing accommodation and essential services to more than 11,000 people.
Authorities have distributed around 3.10 lakh polythene sheets and 48,300 dry-ration packets. Nearly 1,922 boats are being used for evacuation and transportation in flooded areas, helping residents reach safer locations and allowing relief supplies to reach isolated communities.
Livestock support has also become an important part of the response, with 7,535 quintals of animal fodder distributed so far.
To strengthen emergency operations, 27 SDRF teams and 10 NDRF teams have been deployed across various districts for rescue and relief work.
The weather remains a concern for the coming days. Light to moderate rainfall is forecast at several places in Bihar, while one or two locations may receive heavy rainfall. With river levels already high, fresh rain could slow the recovery process and increase pressure on vulnerable communities.
Residents in flood-prone areas have been advised to remain alert, follow official warnings and cooperate with rescue teams as Bihar continues to deal with widespread flooding across the state.
