Patna: The monsoon has intensified across Bihar, bringing relentless rainfall that has caused widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and rising river levels in several districts. Patna, Samastipur, Jamui, and Banka are among the worst-affected areas, with residents struggling to cope with submerged roads and overflowing drains.
Since Saturday morning, intermittent rain has lashed Patna and Samastipur, flooding major junctions and low-lying areas. Outside Patliputra railway station and Patna Junction, 2 to 3 feet of water has accumulated, severely affecting passenger movement. Commuters waded through waist-deep water while several vehicles broke down on submerged roads.
“It’s becoming impossible to walk or drive outside the station. The water hasn’t receded for hours,” said a stranded railway passenger near Patliputra station.
In Samastipur, waterlogged roads brought traffic to a crawl, while light drizzle continued in Nalanda. Banka district has been witnessing continuous rainfall since Thursday, raising the water level of several rivers in the region.
In Bounsi block of Banka, a 20-foot stretch of road near Kari village was washed away by the strong river current, halting vehicular movement and isolating the area. In Jamui, the Ulai River has breached its banks and begun flowing over the roads, cutting off access to nearly half a dozen villages.
IMD Issues Statewide Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for all 38 districts of Bihar for Saturday, warning of thunderstorms and lightning. Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 40 km/h. A red alert for heavy rainfall has been declared in five districts: Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Purnia.
Officials have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, especially in flood-prone and river-adjacent regions.
Rainfall Data and Regional Impact
According to the IMD, Patna received a staggering 671.60 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Heavy rain has also been recorded in Bagaha, Hajipur, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, and Gopalganj.
On Friday, water entered multiple homes in Danapur following heavy downpour. Local schools, narrow lanes, and housing colonies reported severe waterlogging, forcing some institutions to suspend classes for the day.
Despite the monsoon’s grip, heatwave conditions lingered in some areas. Motihari recorded the highest temperature at 35.5°C, followed by Darbhanga at 35.2°C, Begusarai at 34.6°C, and Patna at 34.1°C.
As the state braces for more rain, disaster management teams are on standby, and the administration is closely monitoring vulnerable zones.
