Bihar On High Alert As Heavy Rainfall And Flooding Impact 17 Districts

The Meteorological Department in Patna has issued a warning for ‘moderate’ to ‘heavy’ rainfall across 17 districts of Bihar on Friday, as many rivers in the state are flowing above their danger levels.

The affected districts include Patna, Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad, Gaya, Nalanda, West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Aurangabad, Khagaria, Jamui, Banka, Bhagalpur, and Munger. Residents have been advised to stay away from agricultural fields due to the increased risk of lightning strikes anticipated during the rainfall.

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Heavy rain in Nepal’s catchment areas has caused the Gandak River to rise above its danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj District, with the water level currently at 62.77 meters—55 centimeters above the danger threshold.

In Khagaria District, the Kosi River is flowing 1.11 cm above the danger level at Baltara, with a danger level of 33.85 meters. At Kursela in Katihar District, the Kosi River is 76 cm above the danger mark, with the danger level set at 30.00 meters.

The Bagmati River is also exceeding its danger levels at several points, including Sonakhan in Sitamarhi District, Dubbadhar in Sheohar District, and Kataunjha and Benibad in Muzaffarpur District. The Burhi Gandak River in Khagaria is 71 cm above the danger level, while the Ghaghra River in Siwan District is flowing 6 cm above its danger level at Gangpur block.

Water Levels At Gandhi Ghat

The Ganga River is critically high at multiple locations, with water levels at Gandhi Ghat in Patna 44 cm above the danger mark, 41 cm above at Hathidah, and 52 cm above at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur. The situation in Bhagalpur District is particularly severe, with floodwaters entering villages after the Ganga breached an embankment in Budhuchak Panchayat, inundating numerous homes.

District Magistrate Nawak Kishore Chaudhary of Bhagalpur reported ongoing rescue operations involving 12 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). “We are rescuing villagers and relocating them to higher ground. Public kitchens have been establish to provide food to the affected residents, and we are closely monitoring water levels in the region,” Chaudhary said.

The situation is similarly critical in Sitamarhi District, where local authorities have warned villagers to avoid the banks of the Bagmati River. Swimming and taking selfies near the river prohibit to prevent accidents.

Residents across Bhagalpur and Sitamarhi districts are urge to exercise extreme caution and adhere to local authority instructions as flood conditions persist.