Samastipur: With just five days left for the grand Chhath festival, the flooding of the Budhi Gandak River has submerged most of the Chhath ghats in and around Samastipur city, raising serious concerns about where devotees will offer Arghya this year.
The Budhi Gandak River, which flows through the heart of Samastipur, has risen above the danger mark due to continuous inflow from upstream areas. All the ghats along a three-kilometre stretch—from Dharmapur to Jitwarpur—are currently underwater. The entire area falls within the municipal corporation’s jurisdiction.
Residents living along the riverbank, who traditionally perform Chhath Puja by the river, say this year’s flooding has created an unprecedented situation. “After many years, the river is in flood during Chhath. The water level is so high that devotees may have to offer prayers from the dam,” said a local resident.
The submergence of ghats has also exposed the administration’s lack of preparedness. Locals allege that the civic authorities have been preoccupied with election-related work, leaving little attention to Chhath arrangements despite the festival’s massive public participation. Every year, millions of devotees gather at the Budhi Gandak River to offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun.
Municipal Corporation President Anita Ram acknowledged the challenges and said that the administration is making temporary arrangements. “In view of the unexpected rise in water levels, we are identifying higher spots along the riverbank and cleaning them by digging shallow pits so that devotees can perform puja there. However, it is not possible to accommodate the large number of people who usually come to the Budhi Gandak ghats. We appeal to citizens to make alternative arrangements for puja at their homes,” she said.
The situation remains tense as officials assess the river’s behavior over the next few days. Devotees and local volunteers have urged the administration to take immediate steps to ensure safety and cleanliness at temporary ghats before the Chhath rituals begin.
