Patna: Flood conditions have intensified across Bihar as the Ganga and seven other major rivers remain in spate, affecting around 13 districts. Rising water levels have forced residents in several areas to leave their homes and seek shelter at safer locations, including roadsides and community buildings.
The Ganga has crossed the danger mark at several locations, including Buxar, Munger and Bhagalpur. Other affected districts include Bhojpur, West Champaran, Begusarai, Khagaria, Rohtas and Jehanabad.
District administrations are closely monitoring the situation, while disaster management authorities have issued advisories urging people to stay away from riverbanks, ghats and embankments.
Ganga Water Level Raises Concern in Patna
In Patna, the water level of the Ganga continues to remain a major concern. Water levels at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah have been rising, prompting authorities to intensify monitoring.
Officials have warned that if the current rate of rise continues, previous records for the highest water level could be challenged.
To prevent floodwater from entering the city, all 108 gates of the urban protection wall have been closed. The district magistrate and municipal commissioner inspected vulnerable areas on Thursday evening to assess the situation.
Punpun and Dardha Rivers Add to Pressure
The rising levels of the Punpun and Dardha rivers have increased pressure across southern and eastern parts of Patna district.
At Sripalpur, the Punpun has risen 2.29 metres above the danger mark, while the Dardha at Kolhachak is 3.07 metres above the danger level.
The situation has severely affected several low-lying areas. Janjira Diara in Mokama has been completely inundated, with residents taking shelter on school rooftops and moving to other elevated locations.
Several diara panchayats in Bakhtiyarpur have also reported water entering low-lying houses. Meanwhile, the rising Punpun and Dardha rivers have left around three dozen villages, including areas around Gaurichak market, surrounded by floodwater.
Residents of villages near the Punpun embankment in Phulwari, including Chihunt, Sakraicha, Mehmanpur, Bakpur and Tarapur, have been keeping a close watch on the condition of the river and embankment.
Ganga Level at Maner Reaches 53.46 Metres
According to the Water Resources Department’s 6 am report, the Ganga at Maner in Patna district stood at 53.46 metres.
The highest flood level at the location is 53.79 metres, leaving the water level around 33 centimetres below that mark.
The rapid rise in the Ganga remains a major concern for authorities, particularly in low-lying areas along the river.
Buxar Faces Growing Flood Threat
The flood situation in Buxar is worsening as the Ganga continues to rise by around 1-2 centimetres every hour. The river level increased by approximately 16 centimetres over the past 24 hours.
In Brahmapur’s Nainijor panchayat, floodwater has entered Dhabi and Gajadhar Dera, while Sajivan Dera has been surrounded by water.
Road connectivity to around half a dozen villages has also been disrupted after several routes were submerged.
Around 3 Lakh People Affected in Bhojpur
The flood situation in Bhojpur has expanded from three blocks to six blocks as water continues to spread.
Floodwater reached the old Ara-Buxar highway near Chaukhipur and the road leading to Majhaua airfield in Ara on Thursday, affecting movement in the area.
For the second consecutive day, 62 schools and Anganwadi centres were closed as a precautionary measure. Officials said the Ganga has assumed a critical level in the district.
Floodwater Spreads Across Munger Diara
In Munger, a diversion constructed over the Mahanadi river in the Barsanda area of Tetiabambar was washed away by floodwater.
The spread of water across diara areas has forced several residents to leave their homes and move to safer locations.
In Bhagalpur, rising levels of the Ganga and Kosi rivers have further aggravated the flood situation. Following increasing damage to the Raghupur-Kajikoreya embankment, the district administration has intensified relief and rescue operations.
NDRF, SDRF Teams Deployed in Bhagalpur
Authorities are continuously monitoring flood-hit areas in Bhagalpur. SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed, while boats, personnel and other essential resources have been made available for rescue and relief operations.
The Ganga has remained above the danger mark since August 22. The Raghupur panchayat in Kharik block was affected after the Raghupur-Kajikoreya embankment reportedly breached on the night of August 24.
So far, 62,698 flood-affected people have been provided food.
The Raghupur embankment-cum-railway tagging embankment had earlier suffered damage over a stretch of around 30 metres due to severe erosion and undermining. Following further damage on September 1, erosion increased on both the upstream and downstream sides, taking the total breach length to around 400 metres.
Rohtas Monitors Son River Levels
In Rohtas, water levels have started receding in several villages across Nauhatta, Rohtas, Tilouthu, Nasriganj and Dehri blocks, among others.
On Friday, 17,036 cusecs of water was released from the Rihand reservoir and 29,005 cusecs from the Bhim Barrage. Water released from Madhya Pradesh’s Bansagar reservoir several days earlier is also reaching the Son river.
Rohtas District Magistrate Deepak Kumar Mishra said the administration was closely monitoring the water levels of the Son and other rivers.
Officials are also assessing the damage caused by the floods. SDRF teams have been deployed at various locations, while water supply to Son canals has been restored. Around 5,922 cusecs of water has been released into the Western Link Canal.
Authorities Step Up Flood Preparedness
With several rivers continuing to remain above danger levels, district administrations across Bihar are maintaining close surveillance of vulnerable areas.
Authorities have urged residents living near rivers and embankments to follow official advisories and move to safer locations whenever required. Relief and rescue teams have also been kept ready in the affected districts to respond to emergencies.
