Patna: Floods in Bihar have intensified, with 10 rivers, including the Ganga, Kosi, Bagmati, Budhi Gandak, Punpun, and Ghaghra, flowing above the danger mark. According to state officials, 12 districts are severely affected, impacting more than 17 lakh people. Bhagalpur is among the worst-hit, where over 4.16 lakh residents from 75 panchayats are suffering due to rising water levels.
In Bhagalpur’s Bindtoli village, about 40 of 100 houses have been submerged in the Ganga. A crack has developed in the Ismailpur–Bindtoli embankment, increasing the flood threat, while many schools are underwater. In Gopalpur block of Navgachiya, 70 percent of a ₹15-crore ring dam has been washed away. Senior administrative officials have reached the site to assess the damage.
In Begusarai’s Sihma area (Ward-18), floodwaters have entered homes, leaving the situation critical. All 187 villages in the district’s eight blocks are fully submerged, destroying farmlands and houses. In total, 137 schools and Anganwadi centres are closed, though teachers are reportedly reaching schools by boat.
Bhagalpur’s Sultanganj locality has seen Ganga water levels rise 6–7 feet on the roads, forcing authorities to ban entry at Namami Ghat. Essential supplies are being transported by tractor. In Dildarpur Bind Toli (Nathnagar block), water levels have reached waist height inside homes.
A minor drowned in the Ganga at Sultanganj, while three people died in Munger. The total death toll in this year’s Bihar floods has crossed 15.
The situation worsened further in Muzaffarpur on Monday after a dam on the Tirhut Canal broke at Chhajan Hari Shankar village in Kudhni block, flooding surrounding areas.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for all 38 districts of Bihar on Tuesday, with an orange alert in 19 districts and a yellow alert in the rest. Winds up to 40 km/h and lightning are expected. Rain is likely to continue for the next seven days due to a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal feeding moisture into the region.
In Patna, light to moderate rain is expected within 24 hours, with heavy showers possible in nearby districts. The maximum temperature may hover around 31°C and the minimum around 26°C.
District-wise Heavy Rain Forecast
- August 12: Heavy rain in West Champaran, East Champaran, Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Madhepura, Katihar, and Saharsa (winds at 30–40 km/h).
- August 13: Heavy rain in West Champaran, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, and Madhubani, with increased precipitation in north and east Bihar.
Rainfall Deficit Continues
Despite recent downpours, Bihar has received 25 percent less rainfall than normal this season. Against an average of 590 mm by this time of year, only 444 mm has been recorded so far. Shivhar district recorded the highest rainfall on Sunday, while Chhapra remained the hottest.
