Bihar flood threat intensifies as Ganga nears historic peak, relief operations expanded

Patna: The flood threat in Bihar has intensified as the Ganga and several other major rivers continue to rise, prompting authorities to expand relief and rescue operations across affected districts.

At Patna’s Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga has crossed the danger mark and is flowing close to its Highest Flood Level (HFL), triggering heightened vigilance by the state government and the Disaster Management Department. Authorities have issued alerts and stepped up monitoring in vulnerable areas.

Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary reviewed the situation with senior officials on Saturday and directed them to maintain strict surveillance along riverbanks and embankments. He instructed officials to alert residents in vulnerable areas and ensure prompt preventive measures wherever required.

District-level teams deployed for flood management have been asked to conduct continuous patrolling and monitor sensitive locations. Following the review meeting, Chaudhary said the Ganga had surpassed its previous peak level, crossing the highest mark recorded in 2016 at around 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. He said officials had been stationed at vulnerable points and that the administration was fully prepared to tackle any emergency.

Several major rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghara, are flowing above the danger mark at multiple locations across the state. The Ganga remains above the danger level at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger, while the Gandak has crossed the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat and Hajipur. The Kosi is flowing above the danger level at Baltara and Kursela, the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria, the Punpun at Sripalpur, and the Ghaghara at Darauli.

As floodwaters continue to threaten low-lying areas, district administrations have intensified relief efforts. Community kitchens have been expanded in several affected districts to provide food to displaced residents. In Bhagalpur, six community kitchens are serving around 5,000 people, with more than 70,600 meals distributed so far.

In Bhojpur, 13 community kitchens are catering to nearly 2.84 lakh affected people across four blocks, while eight kitchens in Patna are serving around 2.32 lakh people in nine blocks. Additional centres have also been opened at seven new locations in the state capital. Community kitchens are also operating in Saran for around 20,000 affected residents.

In Vaishali district, relief assistance is being provided to nearly 85,000 people, while 326 residents have been shifted to a special relief camp. To support evacuation and transportation in inundated areas, the government is operating 693 boats across flood-affected districts. Vaishali has the highest deployment with 155 boats, followed by Samastipur (88), Bhojpur (87), Patna (70), Madhepura (58), Khagaria (43) and Purnea (35).

Relief materials, food supplies and evacuation arrangements are also being mobilised in other affected districts, including Arwal, Buxar, Begusarai, Samastipur, Khagaria, Munger and Katihar. Authorities said continuous surveillance is being maintained in flood-prone and affected areas as river levels remain on an upward trend.

IANS