Rising water levels of the Ganga River submerged the roads at Gandhi Ghat, in Patna.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Amid heavy rain and flooding in some parts of the State, the Ganga river on Saturday (September 5, 2026) breached the highest flood level (HFL) mark at Gandhi Ghat and Pandarak in State capital Patna. The Gandak, Budhi-Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Punpun, Ghagara, and several tributaries are also flowing near their danger marks, portending further flooding at various places in the State.Swollen rivers have affected about 10.26 lakh people in 11 districts, including Patna, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Munger, Khagaria, Katihar, Araria, and Samastipur.Read this infographic | Nepal flash floods: What caused the devastation?Heavy rain over several days and the recent flash flood disaster in Nepal has led to overflowing rivers in Bihar. Bihar has already received 60.09 mm rainfall since the start of September, which is 69% above normal. “The next 24 hours are very crucial for several parts of the State,” officials in the Departments for Disaster Management, and Water Resources said.The Patna Municipal Corporation and the district administration are on high alert. “Water-level in general in the Ganga has increased by 10 cm. People living in nearby, low-lying areas have been advised to exercise caution as the water level in the river is set to rise further by Sunday (September 6),” a Water Resources Department official said. Some riverine areas in Patna are already inundated, causing great difficulties for people living there.The State government is running 38 community kitchens in different districts, has distributed 12,300 polythene sheets, and 2,250 dry ration packets in flood-hit areas, where 858 boats, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, disaster management officials said.Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, meanwhile, conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Bhagalpur and Naugachia districts on Saturday, directing officials to closely monitor relief and rescue operations. Mr. Choudhary has undertaken two other aerial surveys previously.“Conducted an aerial survey of the Bhagalpur and Naugachia areas to assess the flood situation and gathered information on relief and rescue operations in the affected regions,” Mr. Choudhary said in a post on social media.“Instructed officials to ensure that affected people face no difficulties of any kind, all necessary arrangements and precautionary measures are implemented on time, and there is no shortfall in relief and rescue operations....The general administration should work with full promptness to ensure the safety of the general public,” he added.District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in 11 districts have been asked to “take precautionary steps, alert people living in low-lying areas and river-facing side of embankments, and ensure patrolling by special teams to deal with any emergencies and eventualities”. “The administration and government is fully ready to deal with any situation,” Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin on Saturday spoke to media persons here on the grim situation. “The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation and the government is fully aware. All of us are making efforts to ensure that people face the least possible difficulties during any emergencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also monitoring the flood situation…These conditions have been persisting following the disaster in Nepal, and continued rainfall,” Mr. Nabin said. Published - September 05, 2026 12:24 pm IST
