Bihar on High Alert as Ganga Surges Nearly 2 Metres Above Danger Mark in Patna

A serious flood situation has developed across low-lying districts in Bihar as the water level of the Ganga and its tributaries continues to rise. Heavy upstream precipitation across Bihar, neighbouring states, and catchments in Nepal has pushed multiple rivers past critical danger marks. Over 10 lakh residents across 12 basin districts-including Patna, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur-are currently battling severe waterlogging and displacement.

Water Levels Reach Record Highs

The Water Resources Department (WRD) confirmed that the Ganga breached its previous Highest Flood Level (HFL) at Patna’s Gandhi Ghat, surging past the 50.52-metre mark set back in August 2016 to reach 50.58 metres. The river is flowing nearly two metres above the critical danger threshold in the state capital. Downstream stations like Pandarak, Hathidah, Munger, and Bhagalpur are also reporting water levels significantly above the danger mark. Ganga Water Level Rises in Bihar, Flood-like Situation in Low-lying Areas; Relief Measures Intensified.

Other major rivers in the state-including the Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun, and Ghaghra-are also overflowing at multiple locations, compounding the flood risk for surrounding rural blocks.

Low-Lying Areas Inundated

In low-lying riverine and diara (island) areas, floodwaters have breached residential communities, farmlands, and vital rural infrastructure. In Vaishali district's Raghopur block, water levels surged over main connecting roads, submerging local markets and government premises.

Similar conditions are reported in Begusarai and Bhojpur, where several homes have two to five feet of standing water inside. Residents are forced to use country boats to move family members, essential goods, and livestock to higher embankments. Extensive agricultural land growing maize and green vegetables remains submerged, causing severe crop damage. Bihar Flood Situation Worsens as Ganges Crosses Danger Mark Across Multiple Districts.

Relief Operations and Administrative Response

State authorities have placed 12 river basin districts on high alert. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have deployed over 800 motorboats to execute evacuations and patrol vulnerable embankments.

To support displaced families, the Bihar Disaster Management Department has established dozens of community kitchens and temporary medical posts. Emergency relief materials—including polythene sheeting, halogen tablets for water purification, and dry ration packets—are being distributed across affected panchayats. Officials have advised citizens to avoid non-essential movement near riverbanks, embankments, and waterlogged areas.

Background and Forecast

Bihar frequently experiences monsoon flooding due to its position in the lower Middle Ganga Plain, where heavy regional rainfall combines with high runoff from rivers originating in Nepal. With monsoon rains running significantly above normal this month, officials expect river levels along the Ganga stem to remain high over the next 24 to 48 hours before stabilizing. Continuous monitoring of embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur remains underway to prevent structural breaches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2026 02:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).