Patna: Flood conditions in north Bihar have worsened following heavy rainfall in Nepal’s Terai region and the release of a record volume of water into the Gandak river. The Valmikinagar Barrage released 5.15 lakh cusecs of water into the Gandak on Sunday night, the highest discharge recorded there so far this year.
According to the supplied report, Nepal’s Devghat gauge station recorded a discharge of more than 6.52 lakh cusecs, exceeding the previous reported record of 5.26 lakh cusecs on August 27, 1999.
The Bihar Disaster Management Department said around 82,000 people in 23 gram panchayats across 11 blocks of West Champaran and Supaul districts have been directly affected by flooding.
Several villages in West Champaran have been inundated, while floodwater has submerged sections of the Bagaha–Valmikinagar highway. Water levels on parts of the road have reportedly reached five to six feet, bringing traffic to a halt.
The India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre in Patna has issued a yellow alert for rain in 12 districts on Monday, September 28. Rain accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 30 kmph is possible in these areas.
Teenager drowns in Valmikinagar; villages cut off
Flooding has disrupted road connectivity and affected several settlements across north Bihar.
A teenager died by drowning in Valmikinagar amid the rising floodwaters.
In Muzaffarpur district, the Bagmati river has overflowed onto the Bakuchi bridge in Katra block, cutting off access to the block headquarters for residents of 16 panchayats, with a combined population of around two lakh.
At Katujha, the Bagmati was flowing 0.90 metres above the danger mark. In Madhubani district, the water level of the Kamla river at Jainagar reached 68.10 metres.
Floodwater has also inundated parts of Supaul, where heavy rainfall on Sunday left roads submerged under two to three feet of water.
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve has also been affected, with floodwater entering the Valmikinagar and Madanpur forest ranges. Forest department teams are conducting patrols by boat to monitor the situation and wildlife movement.
Ganga water level rising; more flooding possible
The water level of the Ganga has started rising again. In Begusarai, it increased by two centimetres over the past 24 hours, according to the supplied report.
The Ganga was reportedly flowing below the danger mark at the time of the update. However, a further rise could affect the drainage of floodwater from the Gandak and Kosi river systems.
Officials are monitoring the situation as continued rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas could lead to further increases in river levels.
Rain alert in 12 districts of Bihar
The Meteorological Centre in Patna has issued a yellow alert for 12 districts on Monday, warning of possible rainfall accompanied by winds reaching 30 kmph.
The supplied information does not specify the names of all 12 districts covered by the alert. The district-wise advisory should be checked against the latest IMD bulletin before publication.
Patna is likely to experience generally normal weather, with sunshine and intermittent cloud cover. No heavy-rain alert has been reported for the state capital in the supplied update.
Bihar records 31% rainfall deficit despite heavy showers
Despite intense rainfall in several districts over the past few days, Bihar continues to face a significant seasonal rainfall deficit.
By September 27, the state had received 677.9 mm of rainfall against the normal of 975.8 mm for the period, a shortfall of 31%.
The report attributes the recent rainfall in several districts to the influence of Cyclone Arnab. However, the cyclone’s name and its reported influence should be verified against the latest official meteorological bulletin before publication.
Rainfall over the preceding 24 hours was particularly heavy in parts of north Bihar. West Champaran recorded 78.2 mm, followed by Sheohar at 67 mm and Sitamarhi at 60.3 mm.
Other districts reporting substantial rainfall included Siwan, with 51 mm; Gopalganj, with 39.4 mm; Madhubani, with 35.4 mm; and East Champaran, with 31.9 mm.
Patna recorded 22.9 mm of rainfall during the period.
Despite these heavy showers, rainfall remained below normal in several districts. Kishanganj had reportedly received no rainfall during the relevant reporting period, while Araria and Katihar recorded only 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively.
Monsoon activity expected to weaken
Weather experts quoted in the supplied report said monsoon activity generally weakens towards the end of September. Rainfall is also expected to become more localised across Bihar.
However, moisture in the atmosphere and locally developing clouds could trigger showers in some districts. Rain accompanied by strong winds may also bring a temporary drop in temperatures.
The immediate flood situation in north Bihar will depend largely on further water releases from Nepal, rainfall in the river catchment areas and changes in the water levels of the Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Kamla and Ganga rivers.
For residents in flood-affected areas, the key concerns remain road connectivity, access to essential supplies and the risk of further inundation if river levels continue to rise.
