Bihar Floods: 34.31 Lakh Affected As Ganga Crosses Previous Highest Flood Level

Bihar’s flood situation worsened on Tuesday, with 34.31 lakh people affected across 13 districts as swollen rivers inundated large areas and the Ganga crossed its previous highest flood level at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur. Authorities sounded an alert in downstream areas and intensified rescue and relief operations.

The floods have affected 480 gram panchayats across 79 blocks in districts including Patna, Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Khagaria and Munger. The number of affected people rose sharply from 29.13 lakh reported on Monday.

The Disaster Management Department said the Ganga at Sultanganj reached 36.80 metres at 8 am on September 8, surpassing its previous Highest Flood Level of 36.75 metres recorded on August 17, 2021. The trend remained stable, but downstream areas remained under alert.

Several rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun, Bagmati and Ghaghra, are flowing above danger levels at multiple locations. At the same time, water levels have started falling by 12 to 25 cm at some locations in Buxar, Bhojpur and Patna, although the Ganga continues to rise in parts of downstream Munger and Bhagalpur.

The floods have also caused casualties. Five people have died in Patna district, with two deaths reported in Danapur and three in Maner. Authorities said the families of two victims had received Rs 4 lakh compensation each, while compensation for the remaining families was expected within one to two days.

In another incident, a small boat carrying 10 people capsized in flood-hit Kharik Raghopur in Bhagalpur. SDRF personnel rescued all 10 people aboard.

Bihar has recorded 79.6 mm of rainfall in September, 31 per cent above normal, adding to concerns over swollen rivers and downstream flooding.

Relief operations have expanded, with 432 community kitchens and 14 relief camps operating across affected districts. Authorities have distributed around 1.29 lakh polythene sheets and 22,900 dry-ration packets. As many as 1,832 boats are being used for evacuation and transport, while 3,142 quintals of animal fodder have been distributed. A total of 27 SDRF and 10 NDRF teams have been deployed.

Flooding has disrupted connectivity in several areas. Ten trains on the Patna-Gaya route were cancelled, while the Bhagalpur-Munger stretch of NH-80 was closed over water levels and bridge-safety concerns. Connectivity between several flood-hit villages and district headquarters has also been affected.

At 10 am on Tuesday, discharge at the Gandak Barrage was 1,04,400 cusecs, with a stable trend, while the Kosi Barrage recorded 1,69,985 cusecs, with the trend declining. Both were below their highest discharges recorded this year.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has inspected flood-affected areas, relief camps and community kitchens in Vaishali and Saran, directing officials to intensify relief operations and monitor embankments. The government has also said flood damage will be assessed and farmers will receive compensation for crop losses.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has demanded that the Centre declare the Bihar floods a national disaster and provide Rs 5,000 crore in immediate assistance.