Floods Wreak Havoc in Bihar as Water Levels Rise Again

Patna: Flooding caused by continuous rainfall in Nepal and the surrounding hilly regions has led to a significant rise in water levels across many rivers in Bihar. The Ganga River, in particular, has surged once again, inundating low-lying areas in Bhagalpur, Munger, and Vaishali districts. In Patna, Ganga’s waters have returned to Mahavir Ghat Service Lane, causing disruption in the city.

The situation has become particularly dire in the Chamtha Diara area of Bachhwara block in Begusarai district, where a road constructed just a year ago at a cost of ₹52 lakh has been severely damaged by the floods. The destruction of this road has created significant difficulties for residents commuting to Chamtha Panchayat-1, Panchayat-2, and Vishanpur Diara.

In Nalanda, the breach of an embankment on the Jirayan River has led to the submergence of 1,000 bighas of agricultural land, causing extensive damage to crops. Villages in the vicinity are now at risk of flooding, prompting officials to work urgently to repair the breached embankment.

The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain across 23 districts in Bihar today, with heavy rainfall expected in some areas of Siwan, Buxar, and Patna. This comes after several districts, including Patna and Bhagalpur, experienced significant rainfall late Tuesday evening.

Despite the recent downpours, Bihar has still received 24% less rainfall than average for this time of year. By August 27, the state typically records 749.2 mm of rain, but only 569.6 mm has fallen so far. According to the Meteorological Center, the monsoon trough line is currently passing through Jaisalmer and Kota in Rajasthan, as well as Durg in Chhattisgarh, toward the East Central Bay of Bengal. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation over West Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas is contributing to the current weather patterns affecting Bihar.