Patna: Heavy rains lashed Patna, Hajipur, Gopalganj, and other parts of Bihar on Tuesday morning, triggering waterlogging in several areas of the state capital. Dark clouds also hovered over Begusarai. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts, including Patna, for the next 24 hours. Fifteen districts are under a yellow alert.
According to the Patna Meteorological Centre, the monsoon is currently more active in north-west Bihar, and heavy rain is expected to continue across the state for the next five to six days. Rainfall activity is likely to peak between Wednesday and Friday, followed by intermittent showers until early next week.
Meanwhile, flood conditions have worsened across Bihar, with 10 rivers, including the Ganga, Kosi, Bagmati, Budhi Gandak, Punpun, and Ghaghra, flowing above the danger mark. A total of 12 districts are reeling under floodwaters, affecting more than 17 lakh residents.
Bhagalpur Worst Hit
Bhagalpur remains among the worst-affected districts, with over 4.16 lakh people from 75 panchayats severely impacted. After a breach in the Ismailpur–Bindtoli embankment on Monday, Bindtoli village was submerged by Tuesday, sweeping away more than 100 houses and leaving 3,400 people homeless. Approximately 40 percent of houses in the village have been destroyed, and many schools are under water.
In Gopalpur block of Navgachiya, 70% of the ring dam, constructed at a cost of ₹15 crore, has been washed away, while 200 metres of the Sadhupur dam in Rangra have collapsed.
Floodwaters have also inundated parts of Begusarai, where 187 villages across eight blocks are fully affected. The administrative building of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University is completely surrounded by floodwaters, as shown in drone images. Authorities have banned entry to Namami Ghat in Sultanganj, and essential goods are being transported by tractors.
Schools and Infrastructure Hit
Floods have forced the closure of 137 schools and Anganwadi centres in Begusarai. While children are unable to attend classes, some teachers are risking their lives by commuting in boats. In Muzaffarpur’s Kudhni block, a dam on the Tirhut Canal broke on Monday morning, further aggravating the situation.
Weather Outlook
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in the districts of North Bihar and moderate rainfall in South Bihar over the next few days. Nalanda recorded the highest temperature in the state at 36.3°C, followed by Gaya (35.3°C), Motihari (35.0°C), and Patna (33.6°C).
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Bhagalpur, Munger, Khagaria, and Katihar on Wednesday to assess the damage and coordinate relief measures.
