Patna: The flood situation in Bihar remains critical, with around 27 lakh people affected across 13 districts, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in the state from September 8 to 10.
The weather department has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain in six districts on Tuesday, with winds potentially reaching speeds of around 30 kmph.
The situation has been aggravated by rainfall in neighbouring states, which has caused more than nine rivers in Bihar to swell. In Patna, the water level of the Punpun River rose by 9 cm in the past 24 hours. At Sripalpur, the river is flowing 2.95 metres above the danger mark. The Dardha and Mahatmain rivers are also in spate.
Several embankments built to contain floodwaters have been damaged at multiple locations, raising concerns in flood-prone areas.
Embankment breach worsens situation in southern Patna
On Monday, an embankment near Barahiakol reportedly breached over a stretch of around 15 feet, allowing river water to enter residential areas.
Water was also reported to be overflowing from ring embankments at around six locations, further worsening the situation in southern Patna.
While the Ganga has started receding in Patna, the water level remains significantly above the danger mark.
Over the past 24 hours, the water level fell by 24 cm at Digha Ghat, 17 cm at Gandhi Ghat and 4 cm at Hathidah. However, the river was still flowing above the danger level on Monday, with levels around 176 cm above the mark at Digha Ghat, 172 cm at Gandhi Ghat and 172 cm at Hathidah.
The danger levels are 50.45 metres at Digha Ghat, 48.60 metres at Gandhi Ghat and 41.76 metres at Hathidah.
Meanwhile, 1,77,880 cusecs of water was released from the Kosi Barrage in Supaul on Tuesday morning.
Khagaria villages submerged
The flood situation remains severe in Khagaria, where water has entered several villages. Residents in some areas have been forced to stay on makeshift platforms inside their homes, while boats have become the primary means of transportation in villages where floodwater has reached waist level.
Residents have also been seen cooking on makeshift stoves placed on raised platforms amid the floodwaters.
Relief camps face shortages
Although the state government has claimed that arrangements have been made to provide relief to flood victims, conditions reported from several relief camps indicate gaps in essential services.
While meals consisting of dal, rice and vegetables are reportedly being provided twice a day at some camps, milk and biscuits for children, sanitary pads and changing rooms for women, and fodder for cattle remain in short supply.
In several districts, relief kitchens have either not started or are reportedly operating well below the sanctioned capacity.
In Patna, food and water are available at relief camps at Digha Minar Ghat and JP Ganga Path, but milk and biscuits for children and sanitary pads for women are reportedly unavailable.
At Mahinawa in Maner, women reportedly do not have access to a changing room, while cattle fodder ran out on Monday.
At Dhanki in Phulwari, elderly people and seriously ill patients are reportedly facing difficulties due to the lack of regular medical check-ups.
In the Barh subdivision, five toilets at a relief camp are reportedly facing serious sanitation issues.
In Saran, around 2.12 lakh people across 109 villages in seven blocks are affected by floods. Residents of Jaan Tola, Rawal Tola and Sidhighat have reportedly complained of a lack of milk for infants and toilets for women.
In Samastipur’s Mohiuddinagar, only five relief kitchens are reportedly operational against 65 approved kitchens.
In Nathnagar, Bhagalpur, cattle owners at five relief camps are reportedly having to purchase fodder at their own expense.
In Siwan, 164 relief kitchens have been proposed, but none had started operations as of the latest information, with authorities reportedly waiting for water levels to rise.
In Gopalganj and Simri in Buxar, no approved relief camp or kitchen has reportedly become operational. All 15 proposed centres in Simri are said to be closed.
Heavy rain warning for six districts
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain in six districts on Tuesday. Winds may reach around 30 kmph in some areas.
The rest of the state is expected to experience humid weather, although isolated rainfall is possible.
Bihar has so far recorded 537.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 828.7 mm, leaving the state around 35% below its average rainfall.
Some districts, including Kishanganj, received rain during the past 24 hours, while Patna remained cloudy with light drizzle in some areas.
Why is Bihar receiving rain?
According to weather experts, multiple weather systems are influencing rainfall in Bihar.
The monsoon trough is currently extending from Sri Ganganagar through Narnaul, central Uttar Pradesh, Dehri, Purulia and Digha towards the Bay of Bengal. This places Bihar close to an active monsoon rainfall zone, creating favourable conditions for rain in several parts of the state.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation is also present over northeast Bihar and adjoining areas and extends up to around 1.5 km above the surface. Its influence is expected to increase cloud formation and rainfall, particularly across northeastern Bihar.
Another upper-air cyclonic circulation is present over western Assam and adjoining areas, while an older circulation over eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions has weakened.
Patna weather forecast
Patna is likely to remain humid on Tuesday, with cloudy conditions and the possibility of light rain in some areas.
The city recorded around 70 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours. Despite the rainfall, high moisture levels are expected to make conditions feel hot and humid.
Madhubani records highest rainfall
Madhubani recorded the highest rainfall among the districts mentioned, receiving around 118 mm.
Despite the recent rainfall, Bihar’s overall monsoon rainfall remains significantly below normal. The additional rain forecast over the next few days may help reduce the deficit, but the state is still expected to remain below its normal cumulative rainfall level for the season.
Flooding raises risk of snakebites
Flooding and waterlogging have also increased the risk of snakebites in affected areas.
Over the past 50 days, 81 snakebite patients were treated at major hospitals in Patna, of whom nine died, according to the information available. The highest number of patients—38—were treated at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
The figures include 16 patients at IGIMS, 15 at NMCH, seven at AIIMS Patna and five at New Gardiner Road Hospital. Some patients were reportedly referred from other hospitals.
New Gardiner Road Hospital director Dr Manoj Kumar Sinha said the number of snakebite patients from flood-affected areas was increasing. He said adequate supplies of anti-snake venom were available and urged people to take patients to a hospital immediately after a snakebite instead of relying on traditional faith-based remedies.
Typhoid cases cross 4,000
The risk of waterborne and infectious diseases has also increased in flood-affected settlements due to waterlogging and possible contamination of drinking water.
So far, 4,352 typhoid cases have reportedly been detected. The health department has also issued an alert over leptospirosis, with two cases reported so far.
Officials and health workers are likely to face an additional challenge in the coming days as continued rainfall and stagnant water could increase the risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases in flood-affected areas.
