Patna: Monsoon activity has picked up once again in Bihar, with several districts, including Patna, witnessing cloudy skies since Sunday morning. Light showers were reported in parts of the state capital, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 17 districts warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and winds up to 40 km/h over the next week.
According to IMD data, Bihar has so far received 431 mm of rainfall this monsoon season against the normal of 573 mm, a shortfall of 25 mm. Despite the deficit, heavy rainfall in the past few days has led to a flood situation in seven districts, with 10 rivers, including the Ganga, flowing above the danger mark.
Floods have already claimed three lives—two in Begusarai and one in Vaishali—while more than 10 lakh people have been affected across the state. The situation remains critical in Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Munger, and Begusarai districts.
North Bihar Braces for Heavy Rains from August 11 to 13
The IMD has predicted that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest and adjoining western Bay of Bengal around August 13, which will intensify rain activity across Bihar. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected between August 11 and 13, particularly in North Bihar districts such as Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Darbhanga, potentially raising river water levels further.
Officials have also warned of a drop in temperatures, with day temperatures in most districts expected to remain 2–3 degrees Celsius below normal due to the increased rainfall.
Flood Waters Inundate Villages and Roads
Flood waters have entered several villages in Lakhisarai and six blocks of Munger district—Sadar Munger, Bariyarpur, Jamalpur, Dharhara, Haveli Kharagpur, and Asarganj—affecting daily life. In Begusarai’s Bachhwara, Ganga water has submerged roads, forcing school teachers and residents to wade through waist-deep water.
In Munger, the Lal Darwaza link road is under three feet of water, with residents seen pushing stranded vehicles. Patna city is also witnessing severe inundation, with 2–4 feet of water covering connecting roads near Mahavir Ghat and Bhadraghat. Several ghats have been barricaded by the administration for public safety.
In Khagaria, floodwaters from the Ganga have entered homes and school premises, while in Chhapra, rising water levels of the Ganga and Saryu rivers have submerged parts of the main city.
Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories as the state prepares for another spell of heavy rainfall in the coming days.
