Patna: Bihar’s flood crisis has intensified, with more than 6.65 lakh people affected across 18 districts as the Ganga and Punpun rivers continue to rise and nine rivers remain above their respective danger marks.
Although the rate at which the Ganga is rising in Patna has slowed, its water level increased by 10 cm at Digha, 11 cm at Gandhi Ghat and 21 cm at Hathidah over the past 24 hours. The river is flowing above the danger mark at all three locations.
The rising Punpun has also disrupted rail connectivity between Patna and Gaya, while floodwaters have entered homes, roads and low-lying areas in several districts.
Patna-Gaya train services suspended
Floodwater from the Punpun River has reached Bridge No. 21 near Jat Dumri, prompting the railways to suspend operations on the down line as a safety measure.
Four MEMU services have been cancelled:
- Gaya-Patna MEMU — 63242
- Gaya-Patna MEMU — 63244
- Patna-Gaya MEMU — 63245
- Patna-Gaya MEMU — 63247
Several other trains on the route are running three to four hours late.
Railway officials said services will resume only after the Punpun recedes, the affected tracks are inspected and the section is declared safe for operations.
Punpun rises sharply in Patna
The Punpun River has risen by 28 cm over the past 24 hours and is flowing 2.57 metres above the danger mark at Sripalpur.
The rising river has worsened the situation in rural Patna. Villages along its banks, including Dhanuki, Mahua Bagh and Salarpur, have reported water levels rising by 7 to 8 feet, causing significant hardship for residents.
Despite both the Ganga and Punpun flowing above danger levels, there is currently no immediate threat of flooding in Patna city.
At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga stands at 50.38 metres, around 14 cm below the 2016 record of 50.52 metres. At Digha Ghat, the level is 51.73 metres, below the 1975 peak of 52.52 metres.
Former Water Resources Department Superintending Engineer Shashi Bhushan Pandey said the height of the protective wall has been increased by 1.5 metres. Arrangements have also been made to prevent water from entering the city and facilitate rapid drainage through BUDCO.
At Sripalpur, meanwhile, the Punpun remains 80 cm below its 1976 record level despite flowing 2.57 metres above the danger mark.
Nine rivers remain above danger levels
Several major rivers continue to pose a flood threat across Bihar.
| River | Location | Level above danger mark |
| Kosi | Baltara, Khagaria | 124 cm |
| Kosi | Kursela, Katihar | 80 cm |
| Gandak | Dumariya, Gopalganj | 75 cm |
| Gandak | Hajipur | 9 cm |
| Burhi Gandak | Khagaria | 111 cm |
| Ghaghara | Darauli, Siwan | 32 cm |
In Bhagalpur, the Ganga is rising by around 2 cm every hour. Its level has risen 46 cm in the past 24 hours and is now 32 cm above the danger mark for the first time, putting additional pressure on the Raghopur-Kazikoraiya embankment.
At Kahalgaon, the river is 82 cm above the danger mark.
The state has also begun operating 693 government boats for relief and rescue operations.
Floodwaters spread across districts
In Begusarai, the rapidly rising Ganga has pushed floodwaters into new areas. More than 1,000 houses have reportedly been submerged in Simariya Bind Toli in Barauni block.
In Saran, around 30 feet of the Mahi River embankment breached near Kesarpur village in Dighwara block. Officials, including the district magistrate, superintendent of police, Sonepur SDM and DSP, reached the site as relief and rescue operations began.
The breach could affect a large population across Trilakchak, Karaiya and Barua panchayats.
In Munger, the Ganga has crossed the danger mark, affecting six administrative blocks. Floodwater has also entered urban areas, with roads in Lal Darwaza submerged under 3 to 4 feet of water.
Khagaria is facing a worsening situation, with several homes submerged. Residents of Madhavpur panchayat in Parbatta block have been moving towards safer areas through swollen waterways, with some carrying livestock while wading through floodwaters.
In Chhapra, floodwater has spilled onto NH-19, disrupting traffic and making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists.
Rain, lightning forecast in several districts
The flood situation comes amid continued unsettled weather.
The Meteorological Centre has forecast rain in Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Saharsa and Madhepura on Saturday, with lightning also possible in these areas.
Weather conditions across Bihar are expected to remain unsettled until September 9. East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran could experience sudden changes, including heavy rain accompanied by lightning.
Weather experts said high atmospheric moisture combined with rising daytime temperatures could trigger rapid local cloud formation. As a result, one part of a district could receive heavy rain while nearby areas experience only cloud cover or humid conditions.
With rivers remaining above danger levels and fresh areas continuing to be inundated, authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance across the flood-affected districts.
