Bihar Floods Affect Over 43 Lakh People Across 14 Districts
Bihar floods have impacted over 43 lakh people across 14 districts due to heavy rains. Authorities have deployed numerous relief measures to assist affected residents.
Admin 
In a devastating turn of events, over 43 lakh people have found themselves affected by severe flooding across 14 districts in Bihar due to incessant rainfall. This disaster follows continuous rain and significant downpours in the catchment areas of Nepal, leading to overflowing rivers, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The Disaster Management Department (DMD) reported that approximately 43.64 lakh people are impacted in 527 gram panchayats scattered across 85 blocks. Among the areas suffering the most are the districts of Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Buxar. The situation has unfolded rapidly, prompting urgent response efforts.
According to weather reports, Bihar has recorded about 83.6 mm of rain this September, marking a 24 percent increase above normal levels for the month. This persistent rainfall contributes to the rivers flowing dangerously high.
The DMD’s latest bulletin indicates that the Ganga River at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur reached a dangerous level of 36.72 metres as of 6 AM on Thursday, which is 2.22 metres above the danger mark but has remained stable. Other rivers, including the Gandak at Dumriya Ghat and the Kosi at multiple points, continue to flow above danger levels.
To support those affected, the government has activated a network of relief efforts. Currently, 951 community kitchens are running across various districts, serving meals to flood-stricken residents. In addition, 15 relief camps provide shelter, food, and medical care for more than 11,255 individuals.
The distribution of relief materials has also commenced, with authorities providing 2.57 lakh polythene sheets and 40,600 dry-ration packets to affected communities. To facilitate evacuations and transportation, the DMD has mobilised 1,932 boats and successfully distributed over 6,692 quintals of cattle fodder, demonstrating a strong response to this humanitarian crisis.
The Gandak Barrage reported a discharge of 77,600 cusecs at 6 AM, while the Kosi Barrage recorded 1,40,240 cusecs, and the discharge at Indrapuri Barrage on the Sone River stood at 72,095 cusecs. These figures underline the severity of the flooding situation and the need for ongoing vigilance.
In response to the crisis, the state has dispatched 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the most affected districts. Their deployment is vital for carrying out effective rescue and relief operations.
Looking ahead, the weather office has predicted light to moderate precipitation in some areas, alongside warnings of heavy rainfall over the next two days. This forecast poses an additional risk, potentially complicating rescue and recovery efforts already in action.
As the authorities ramp up their disaster management strategies, community resilience and collaboration remain crucial in navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing floods in Bihar.
