Patna: Floods triggered by heavy rains and swollen rivers have affected about 29.13 lakh people in Bihar, inundating villages across 13 districts, officials said on Monday. The state government has stepped up relief and rescue measures as water levels rose along key river stretches, including the Ganga in Patna.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, inspected community kitchens and relief camps in Vaishali and Saran, visiting relief centres at Hajipur and Sonpur. The chief minister directed officials to ensure prompt relief, continuous monitoring of river embankments and close surveillance of vulnerable areas.
"I stand with the people through every challenge and at every step. I visited flood-affected areas of Vaishali and Saran and inspected relief camps in Hajipur and Sonpur, where I interacted with residents, reviewed arrangements, served food and shared a meal with them," the chief minister said in a social media post.
Scale of the emergency
State authorities said the floods have affected people in 438 gram panchayats across 77 blocks in 13 districts. Rain-fed rivers have swollen after sustained precipitation; Bihar recorded 75.9 mm of rain so far in September, which officials noted is about 45 per cent above normal for the month.
Responding to the crisis, the state has mobilised substantial resources for relief and rescue:
- 190 community kitchens are operational in the flood-hit districts.
- 1,429 boats have been pressed into service for rescue and relief operations.
- Engineers and machinery have been put on alert to respond to embankment breaches or other emergent infrastructure failures.
River levels and local risk
Authorities have issued alerts for downstream areas after key river gauges rose. At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the Ganga was reported flowing at 50.41 metres at 6 am on Monday, which is 1.57 metres above the danger level. Officials warned people in flood-prone zones to avoid going near rivers and to follow evacuation advisories where issued.
Local administrations have been asked to maintain a continuous watch on embankments and keep men and material ready for immediate deployment. Engineers were instructed to ensure pumps, excavators and other machinery remain operational to support breach prevention and drainage operations.
Relief operations and compensation
During inspections, the chief minister and his deputy reviewed arrangements at community kitchens and relief camps, served food and interacted with affected residents. The administration said financial assistance is being provided to disaster victims, and that affected farmers will receive compensation for crop losses.
Officials emphasised that relief operations will continue until normalcy returns and that all possible measures will be taken to ensure public safety. Local district magistrates and disaster response teams have been asked to prioritise vulnerable populations, including those in low-lying hamlets and areas with weak embankments.
Summary of key figures
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| People affected | 29.13 lakh |
| Districts affected | 13 |
| Gram panchayats | 438 |
| Blocks | 77 |
| Community kitchens | 190 |
| Boats deployed | 1,429 |
| September rainfall to date | 75.9 mm (45% above normal) |
Districts specifically named in official briefings included Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai and Khagaria, among others. Authorities cautioned that additional areas could be affected depending on downstream flows and localised rainfall.
Relief officials said they will continue to coordinate with the state disaster management authority and local administrations to expand shelter capacity, provide potable water and medical support where needed. They also asked residents to heed official advisories and move to higher ground or relief centres if advised.
As rescue teams work through the coming days, monitoring of river gauges and embankment integrity will remain a priority to prevent further displacements and to expedite rehabilitation of affected families.
