Patna, September 3: The rising water levels of major rivers, including the Ganges, have intensified challenges for residents in Bihar. Many rivers in the state are flowing above the danger mark, leading to flooding in low-lying areas.
Authorities are on high alert in several districts, including West Champaran, Bhojpur, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, and Rohtas, due to the ongoing flood and erosion situation. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inspected the rising water levels of the Ganges on Thursday and reviewed the potential flood situation, directing officials to ensure necessary preparations.
The Chief Minister emphasized that all arrangements should be completed promptly to prevent any inconvenience to the public in case of flooding. He reiterated that the safety of lives and property is the state government’s top priority.
According to data from the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Ganges at Gandhi Ghat in Patna was recorded at 158 centimeters above the danger mark at 6 AM on Thursday, with an expected increase of 19 centimeters by Friday morning. The Ganges at Digha Ghat was flowing 113 centimeters above the danger mark, while at Hathidah, it was 116 centimeters above. In Sripalpur, the Ganges was noted to be 219 centimeters above the danger level.
The Son River is also in flood at several locations. In Maner, Patna, the water level of the Son was 135 centimeters above the danger mark. In Koilwar, Bhojpur, the water level was recorded 18 centimeters below the danger mark, with a forecasted decrease in the next 24 hours.
Besides the Ganges, rising water levels have been observed in the Ghaghara, Gandak, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati, and Kosi rivers. At Dumariyaghat in Gopalganj, the Gandak was flowing 70 centimeters above the danger mark. In Khagaria, the Budhi Gandak was 61 centimeters above, while in Baltara, the Kosi was 120 centimeters above. In Kursela, Katihar, the Kosi was 62 centimeters above, and in Siwan’s Darouli, the Ghaghara was 21 centimeters above, with the Ganges in Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur, flowing 74 centimeters above.
In West Champaran, continuous rainfall in Nepal’s Terai region has led to an increase in the water level of the Gandak River. Due to severe erosion in Siswan Manglapur, Choumkha, and Jarlapur, over 100 acres of land, including crops, have been submerged. The rising water levels of the Ganges, Gandak, and Bagmati in Khagaria are expanding the flood zone in low-lying areas. Water has also spread in Bhojpur’s lower regions.
In Kaimur, flooding of the Karmanasha River has disrupted connectivity between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Rohtas, the increased water level of the Son River has caused water to enter several homes.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary reviewed the flood situation from the Command and Control Center at the Irrigation Building. He gathered information on the rising water levels of the Punpun and Daradha rivers, breaches in embankments, and erosion-prone areas via video conferencing. A departmental team has been put on alert in Bhagalpur due to the risk of embankment breaches and erosion.
Patna’s District Magistrate Kundan Kumar has instructed 24-hour monitoring of sensitive embankments. He has also requested sufficient availability of emergency materials such as EC bags, nylon crates, tractors, generators, and flood relief supplies. Arrangements for drinking water, toilets, lighting, food, medicines, and community kitchens in shelters for potentially affected individuals have been mandated.
Special provisions have been instructed for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. The district administration has been directed to arrange safe boats, animal camps, and fodder, while keeping the control room operational 24/7. During an inspection near Gate Number 93 in Patna, it was reported that the Patna Town Protection Wall is 77 centimeters above the highest flood level, with an additional two feet of wooden safety provisions.
According to the Water Resources Department, as of Thursday at 4 PM, the Son Barrage at Indrapuri recorded a flow of approximately 4.45 lakh cubic meters, the Kosi Barrage at Veerpur recorded 2.24 lakh cubic meters, and the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar recorded 1.68 lakh cubic meters. The flow at the Son Barrage was decreasing, while the Kosi showed an increase, and the Gandak’s flow remained steady.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall in the Mahaananda region of Nepal and the catchment areas of the Mahaananda, Son, and North Koyal rivers in Bihar until September 4. Therefore, the administration and the Water Resources Department will closely monitor river levels over the next 24 to 48 hours.
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