Patna, Sept 6: Nearly 19.57 lakh people across 11 districts of Bihar have been affected by floods, with the Ganga crossing its previous highest flood level (HFL) at Gandhi Ghat in Patna, prompting authorities to step up vigilance in downstream areas and intensify rescue and relief operations.
According to officials, the Ganga was flowing at 50.57 metres at Gandhi Ghat at 6 am on Sunday, 0.05 metre above its previous HFL of 50.52 metres recorded on August 21, 2016. The Water Resources Department (WRD), however, said the trend at the site was stable.
The rising water levels have triggered concerns over downstream areas, with Hathidah and subsequent gauge stations likely to be affected over the next one to three days.
The WRD has warned that the Ganga at Hathidah may also cross its previous HFL, prompting heightened vigilance in Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar districts.
The floods have so far affected people in 330 gram panchayats across 11 districts — Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar and Araria.
“At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the Ganga was flowing at 50.57 metres at 6 am on Sunday, which is 0.05 metre above its previous HFL of 50.52 metres, recorded on August 21, 2016. The trend is stable,” the WRD advisory said.
The situation is also being closely watched at Pandarak in Patna, where the Ganga was flowing at 43.92 metres, 0.19 metre above its previous HFL of 43.73 metres recorded on August 16, 2021.
Several rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun, Bagmati and Ghaghra, are flowing above danger levels at various locations, officials said.
The administration has deployed substantial resources to deal with the situation. As many as 1,345 boats have been pressed into service to facilitate evacuation and movement of people in flood-hit areas, while 27 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across affected districts.
At least 110 community kitchens are also operating in various districts to provide food to flood-affected people.
Authorities have directed officials and field-level personnel to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and continuously monitor river levels, embankments, vulnerable locations and low-lying areas.
“Officials and field-level authorities have been directed to remain alert and continuously monitor water levels, embankments, vulnerable locations and low-lying areas, while taking precautionary measures as required,” the WRD said in its advisory.
Engineers have also been instructed to keep flood-control equipment, resources and machinery ready to respond to any emergency.
“People in affected areas have been advised to avoid going near the river and remain cautious,” the advisory said.
Local administrations have additionally been asked to closely monitor boat operations and ensure that boats are not overloaded. Officials have been directed to keep residents regularly informed about developments and safety measures.
The rising floodwaters have also begun disrupting rail traffic in parts of the state.
The East Central Railway said some trains had been cancelled or diverted due to the “alarmingly high water level” at bridge number 21 connecting Punpun and Parsa Bazar stations on the Patna-Gaya section.
With the Ganga breaching its previous high at Gandhi Ghat and the possibility of further rises at downstream gauge stations, authorities have maintained heightened alert in vulnerable districts. The deployment of boats and disaster-response teams, along with the operation of community kitchens, is aimed at supporting affected residents and facilitating evacuation wherever required.
Officials have urged people living in flood-prone and low-lying areas to remain alert, follow instructions issued by local authorities and avoid venturing close to swollen rivers as the flood situation continues to evolve.
