Patna: The flood situation in Bihar remains critical as the Ganga and seven other major rivers continue to flow above danger levels, affecting nearly 35.89 lakh people across 14 districts, according to the latest situation details. Floodwaters have entered hundreds of villages, while rescue and relief operations continue in several affected areas.
The situation has become particularly serious in Bhagalpur’s Sultanganj, where the Ganga crossed its previous five-year water-level record. The river reached 36.81 metres on Tuesday, surpassing the 36.75-metre level recorded in 2021.
In Patna, the water level of the Punpun River rose by 9 cm in the past 24 hours. At Sripalpur, the river was flowing around 2.95 metres above the danger mark. The Dardha and Mahatmain rivers are also in spate.
Four people have reportedly died after drowning in floodwaters in Bhojpur.
The Kosi, Gandak and Ghaghra rivers are also flowing above their respective danger levels. The situation in Saran has worsened after a zamindari embankment on the Mahi River breached, allowing floodwaters to spread into nearby areas.
Khagaria villages submerged
Khagaria is among the districts witnessing severe flooding, with water entering villages and inundating homes. Residents in some areas have built makeshift platforms inside their houses to stay above the rising water.
In several villages, floodwaters have reached waist level, forcing residents to depend on boats for transportation. Families have also been seen cooking on raised platforms amid the floodwaters.
A floating clinic has been set up in Khagaria to provide medical assistance to flood-affected residents.
Eight rivers continue to remain in spate
The flood situation remains linked to high water levels in eight major rivers:
- Ganga: Around 1.61 metres above the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat and 1.63 metres above it at Kahalgaon.
- Kosi: Around 1.42 metres above the danger level in Katihar and 1.34 metres above it in Khagaria.
- Gandak: Around 51 cm above the danger mark at Dumaria in Gopalganj.
- Bagmati: Around 25 cm above the danger level at Benibad in Muzaffarpur.
- Punpun: Around 2.90 metres above the danger mark.
- Ghaghra: Above the danger level at Darauli and Gangpur in Siwan.
- Sone: The water level is receding but remains above the danger mark.
- Gandak erosion destroys homes in Bagaha
In Bagaha’s Madhubani block, the Gandak River continues to cause severe erosion in Revahiya village. The river has reportedly swallowed around 70 houses and a primary school, besides damaging hundreds of acres of agricultural land and farmland this year.
In Begusarai, efforts are also being made to ensure that flood-affected residents do not face a shortage of cooking gas. Indian Oil’s Indane has started delivering LPG cylinders to households in flood-hit areas using boats.
Relief camps face shortage of essential supplies
Although the government has claimed that adequate arrangements have been made for relief camps and assistance to flood victims, residents in several areas continue to report shortages of essential supplies.
Flood victims are receiving dal, rice and vegetables at some relief camps, but milk for children, sanitary pads and changing facilities for women, and fodder for livestock remain major concerns. In some districts, residents have alleged that community kitchens are functioning inadequately or only on paper.
