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The Ganga breaches historic levels in Patna, displacing thousands as Bihar floods intensify. Authorities deploy rescue teams amid rising waters and forecasted rain.
The Ganga River has breached its previous highest flood level at Gandhi Ghat in Patna, signaling a critical escalation in the ongoing Ganga river flood level crisis in Bihar. As of Sunday morning, authorities have confirmed that more than 19.57 lakh people across 11 districts are affected by rising waters, prompting widespread alertness and rescue operations.
The water level at Gandhi Ghat reached 50.57 metres at 6 am on Sunday, exceeding the previous record of 50.52 metres set on August 21, 2016, by 0.05 metres. This historic breach comes in the wake of heavy rains, which have pushed river levels above danger marks at multiple locations. While the water trend remains stable at Gandhi Ghat, officials warn that gauge stations at Hathidah and subsequent downstream areas could see significant rises within the next one to three days.
The human toll of these Bihar floods is mounting rapidly. According to latest official assessments, the flooding has impacted 330 gram panchayats in Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, and Araria. This figure represents a sharp increase from earlier reports that cited 16.85 lakh people across 61 blocks and 300 gram panchayats. The worsening statistics underscore the persistent threat posed by rivers continuing to flow above their danger levels.
The Water Resources Department has issued specific warnings regarding the Ganga at Hathidah, which may also cross its previous highest flood level. This development heightens the risk for districts such as Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, and Katihar. In response, field-level authorities have been directed to maintain constant vigilance over embankments, vulnerable locations, and low-lying areas. Engineers have been instructed to keep flood-control resources and machinery on standby for immediate deployment.
Local administrations have been urged to monitor boat operations closely, prevent overloading, and ensure residents receive regular updates. The public has been advised to avoid approaching swollen rivers and to remain cautious as water levels continue to fluctuate.
The Ganga is currently above the danger mark at several critical points in Bihar. In Buxar, the river stood 0.08 metres above the danger mark, though levels are declining. In Patna, the situation is more severe: at Dighaghat, the water was 1.54 metres above the danger mark, while at Gandhi Ghat, it stood 1.96 metres above it. At Hathidah, the Ganga was 1.74 metres above the danger mark and continued to rise.
Further downstream, Munger recorded a level 0.51 metres above the danger mark with a rising trend. Sultanganj saw the river 2.01 metres above the danger mark, while Bhagalpur recorded 0.65 metres above. The river also remained above the danger mark at Kahalgaon. Notably, at Pandarak in Patna, the river flowed at 43.92 metres, which is 0.19 metres above its previous highest flood level of 43.73 metres recorded on August 16, 2021.
In contrast to the crisis in Bihar, the Ganga remained below the warning level in Prayagraj and Varanasi. In Prayagraj, levels were rising, while in Varanasi, they were declining. However, the flood threat is not confined to the Ganga alone. Several other rivers in the state are also flowing above their respective danger levels. The Gandak is above danger at Dumariaghat and Hajipur, while the Kosi has crossed the mark at Baltara and Kursela. Additionally, the Budhi Gandak is above danger at Khagaria, the Punpun at Sripalpur, the Bagmati at Benibad, and the Ghaghra at Darauli.
To combat the rising threat, the administration has significantly expanded relief operations. A total of 110 community kitchens are now operating across various districts, an increase from the previous 80. Earlier figures indicated that around 1.21 lakh people were receiving meals through these kitchens. One relief camp is also operational, providing accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other essential facilities to 326 flood-affected individuals.
In terms of material aid, authorities have distributed approximately 45,900 polythene sheets and 11,700 dry ration packets. Boat operations have been intensified to evacuate residents and maintain movement in submerged areas. The latest deployment includes 1,345 boats across the state, up from 1,158 reported earlier.
To ensure rapid response capabilities, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across different districts. These teams are tasked with undertaking rapid relief and rescue operations while district administrations continue to monitor vulnerable areas and river embankments. Officials have reiterated that flood-control equipment and machinery must remain ready for deployment as required.
The flooding has also disrupted railway operations. The East Central Railway reported on Sunday that some trains were cancelled or diverted due to "alarmingly high water level at bridge number 21" connecting Punpun and Parsa Bazar stations on the Patna-Gaya section. This disruption adds to the logistical challenges faced by authorities as they focus on evacuation and resident safety.
Barrage discharge data recorded at 9 am on Sunday provided further insight into the water volume. The Sone Barrage at Indrapuri was releasing 2,27,739 cusecs of water, although the flow was declining. The Kosi Barrage at Birpur was releasing 1,68,400 cusecs with stable discharge, and the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar was releasing 1,29,000 cusecs, also showing a stable trend.
The flood situation in Bihar is likely to remain challenging in the immediate future due to meteorological forecasts. The Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has predicted light to moderate rainfall at several places across the state over the next two days, with heavy rainfall possible in some locations. This forecast raises concerns over further increases in river levels, particularly in areas already affected by flooding or those situated in downstream and low-lying zones.
Authorities are now preparing for the possibility of sustained high waters. The state government and district administrations are continuing to monitor the situation closely, deploying relief materials, boats, and rescue teams according to local requirements. With the Ganga already having crossed its previous highest flood level at Gandhi Ghat and multiple rivers remaining above danger marks, officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and avoid approaching swollen rivers. The combination of rising river levels, barrage discharges, and potential new rainfall will test the resilience of relief infrastructure and emergency response teams in the coming days. As the waters threaten to stabilize or recede, the focus remains on preventing further loss of life and property, ensuring that relief efforts reach the most affected communities in time.
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