Bihar floods kill 20, leave 2.7 mn people reeling across 13 districts

Patna: Bihar is battling a severe flood crisis, with 13 districts remaining badly affected and at least 20 deaths officially confirmed so far. More than 2.7 million people have been impacted after heavy rains caused the Ganga and several other major rivers to overflow.

The situation has shown some signs of relief as water levels in the Ganga have begun to recede slightly at key locations, including Gandhi Ghat in Patna. However, the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati, and Ghaghara rivers continue to flow above danger levels at several points, keeping large swathes of the state vulnerable.

Bihar recorded 69.1 mm of rainfall in September, 55 per cent above the normal level for the month. Patna, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Saran, Bhojpur, Begusarai, Khagaria and Munger are among the worst-hit districts, with low-lying areas and roads submerged.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary visited flood-hit areas to assess the situation. The chief minister also inspected community kitchens serving displaced residents and reviewed relief arrangements. Engineers have been ordered to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of embankments and riverbanks and immediately repair any damage.

Authorities have deployed 1,429 boats across Bihar for rescue and relief operations. As many as 190 community kitchens are providing food to hundreds of thousands of affected people. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are also engaged in rescue operations.

Despite the slight fall in the Ganga’s water level, the disaster management authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and stay away from rivers and their banks.