Bihar floods worsen, 46.88 lakh affected as Ganga river flows above danger levels

Bihar's flood situation remained grim on Friday, with 46.88 lakh people affected across 15 districts. Rivers continued flowing above danger levels, while four embankment breaches were reported in Bhagalpur.

In Short

• Floods inundated 561 gram panchayats across 88 blocks in Bihar
• Bhagalpur reported multiple embankment breaches, with repairs continuing at vulnerable sites
• Heavy Nepal catchment rain and local showers swelled major rivers statewide

The flood situation in Bihar remained grim on Friday, with more than 46.88 lakh people affected across 15 districts as the Ganga and its tributaries continued to flow above danger levels at several places, triggering erosion and breaches in embankments, officials said.

At least four embankment breaches were reported from different parts of Bhagalpur district. While some have been repaired, restoration work is underway at the remaining sites, officials said.

A breach at the Brahmottar Dam in Gopalpur block was brought under control overnight with the help of a Water Resources Department technical team and local residents, the district administration said.

At Dhobania Zamindari Dam in Rangra block, around 20 feet of the embankment eroded at around 4.30 am, allowing floodwaters to enter alongside PWD Road No 14. Protective measures, including bamboo piling, sandbagging and plastic sheeting, are being carried out to prevent further damage.

Breaches were also reported at Dhobania Dam on the Kalbalia River in Rangra Chowk and at Budhiya Dam, part of the Sadopur ring embankment, in Bania Baisi panchayat, the administration said.

Technical teams have been deployed at the affected sites, while vulnerable embankments are being monitored round the clock, officials said.

According to the latest bulletin issued by the Disaster Management Department (DMD), around 46.88 lakh people in 561 gram panchayats across 88 blocks have been affected by the floods.

Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar are among the worst-affected districts.

Officials attributed the rise in water levels to incessant rainfall in Bihar as well as heavy rain in catchment areas of Nepal. The state has recorded 90 mm of rainfall so far in September, around 20 per cent above normal.

The Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.62 metres at 6 am on Friday, 2.12 metres above the danger level, although the water level was receding, according to the DMD.

Several other rivers were also flowing above their danger marks. The Gandak was above the danger level at Dumriya Ghat; the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela; the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria; and the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger.

The Punpun was flowing above the danger mark at Sripalpur, the Bagmati at Benibad and the Ghaghra at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan.

Authorities have stepped up relief and rescue measures across the affected districts. A total of 1,194 community kitchens are currently operating, while 15 relief camps are providing accommodation, food, medical care and other essential services to 11,255 flood victims.

Around 3.10 lakh polythene sheets and 48,300 dry-ration packets have been distributed among affected residents so far.

As many as 1,922 boats are being used for evacuation and transportation, while 7,535 quintals of animal fodder have been distributed, the DMD said.

Twenty-seven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have also been deployed across various districts for relief and rescue operations.

The Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at some places in Bihar over the next two days, with the possibility of heavy rain at one or two locations.

- Ends