Bihar floods: Ganga crosses highest flood level, 10.26 lakh affected in 11 districts

Bihar is facing a serious flood situation after the Ganga river breached its highest flood level (HFL) at two points in Patna on Saturday. The river rose above the HFL at Gandhi Ghat and Pandarak, according to the Water Resources Department. Several other rivers, including the Gandak, Budhi-Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Punpun and Ghagara, are flowing close to their danger marks, leading officials to warn of potential further flooding in various parts of the state.

The floods have affected an estimated 10.26 lakh people across 11 districts: Patna, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Munger, Khagaria, Katihar, Araria and Samastipur. The widespread inundation follows continuous rainfall over the past several days and is compounded by the flash floods in Nepal, which have sent excess water downstream into Bihar's river systems.

According to the state's disaster management officials, Bihar has received 60.09 mm of rainfall since the beginning of September, which is 69 per cent above the normal average. They described the next 24 hours as 'very crucial' for several parts of the state, indicating that water levels could rise further depending on upstream releases and rainfall.

The Ganga's water level in Patna has increased by 10 cm and is expected to rise further by Sunday, a Water Resources Department official said. Low-lying areas near the river have been alerted, and residents have been advised to exercise caution. Some riverine areas in Patna are already inundated, causing significant hardship for the people living there.

The state government has initiated relief measures across the affected districts. Thirty-eight community kitchens are operating, and 12,300 polythene sheets and 2,250 dry ration packets have been distributed. For rescue and evacuation operations, 858 boats, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, according to disaster management officials.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary carried out an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Bhagalpur and Naugachia on Saturday. It was his third such survey since the floods began. In a social media post, he said he assessed the situation and gathered information on relief and rescue operations. He instructed officials to ensure that affected people face no difficulties, that all necessary arrangements are completed on time, and that relief and rescue operations are carried out without any shortfall. He also stressed that the general administration should work with full promptness to ensure public safety.

District administrations have been put on high alert. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in the affected districts have been directed to take precautionary steps, alert residents in low-lying areas and those living along river-facing embankments, and ensure patrolling by special teams to deal with any emergency. Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said, "The administration and government is fully ready to deal with any situation."

Bihar BJP president Nitin Nabin acknowledged the gravity of the situation and said the Chief Minister is monitoring it closely. "All of us are making efforts to ensure that people face the least possible difficulties during any emergencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also monitoring the flood situation. These conditions have been persisting following the disaster in Nepal and continued rainfall," he said.

The breach of the HFL at Patna is a significant indicator of the severity of the current flood. The HFL represents the highest water level ever recorded at a given location, and exceeding it means that the flood is now more severe than any previously recorded event. This has heightened concerns for the safety of embankments and low-lying settlements along the river.

As the state braces for more rain in the coming days, authorities are focusing on evacuation of vulnerable populations and ensuring that relief reaches those stranded. The collaboration between state and central agencies, including the NDRF, aims to minimise the impact of the flooding and provide timely assistance to the affected communities.