Patna, Sep 03: Bihar’s flood crisis intensified on Thursday as eight major rivers flowed above danger marks, affecting 13 districts and disrupting normal life, while authorities moved to evacuate stranded residents, protect vulnerable embankments and prepare relief for affected families.
The Ganga, Son, Punpun, Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati and Ghaghara rivers have crossed their respective danger levels, leaving several areas exposed to rising floodwaters. Authorities are monitoring river levels and vulnerable locations as the situation continues to develop.
Patna faces a particularly serious situation, with the Ganga, Son and Punpun above danger marks. At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga stood 127 cm above the danger mark, while at Digha Ghat it was 61 cm above the mark. At Shripalpur, the Punpun was around 2.01 metres above danger level, with floodwater entering nearby houses.
The Son has added to the pressure after more than 5.54 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Indrapuri Barrage. The discharge has spread rapidly through riverine areas of Maner, Danapur, Bakhtiyarpur and Mokama. The administration has deployed 12 government boats to evacuate people stranded in flood-affected areas.
The Ganga has also risen around 1.50 metres above the danger mark at Mohiuddinnagar in Samastipur. It remains above the danger level at Hathidah and Kahalgaon and has crossed the warning level in Munger.
In Bhagalpur, severe erosion along the Ganga has raised concerns over the Raghopur-Kazikoraiya embankment and the railway’s tagging dam. Authorities are working to protect the structures, deploying around 200 tractors and three steamers to transport and dump sandbags during anti-erosion operations.
In Nauhatta, Rohtas, around 100 people who were engaged in farming on river islets have been left stranded as the Son continues to rise. Authorities are working to evacuate them safely.
The 13 affected districts are Darbhanga, Madhubani, West Champaran, Katihar, Madhepura, Purnea, Saharsa, Khagaria, Vaishali, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Samastipur and Munger.
With flooding worsening, the Disaster Management Department has instructed officials to prepare a list of affected families. The assessment will cover damage to crops, livestock and houses so that eligible families can receive relief assistance promptly.
