Bihar floods worsen as 34 lakh people affected, alert in downstream areas

Bihar's flood situation worsened on Tuesday, with more than 34 lakh people affected across 13 districts, officials said. Authorities also sounded an alert in downstream areas after the Ganga crossed the flood mark at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district.

In another incident, a small boat capsized in the flood-hit Kharik Raghopur area of Bhagalpur district in the morning. State Disaster Relief Force personnel rescued all 10 people on board. Several rivers in the state are flowing above danger level at multiple places, while rainfall in September so far has remained above normal.

Floods have affected about 34.31 lakh people across 480 gram panchayats in 13 districts, including Patna, Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Khagaria and Munger.

On Monday, around 29.13 lakh people had been impacted as overflowing rivers inundated large areas in the same 13 districts. According to the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre, the state has recorded 79.6 mm of rainfall in September so far, which is 31 per cent above normal.

The Disaster Management Department said, "The Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur recorded 36.80 metres at 8 am on September 8, surpassing its previous Highest Flood Level (HFL) of 36.75 metres recorded on August 17, 2021. The trend, however, remains stable."

It said several rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun, Bagmati and Ghaghra, were flowing above danger levels at multiple locations. The Gandak at Dumriaghat and Hajipur, the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela, the Budhi Gandak at Khagaria, and the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger were all above the danger level.

The department also said, "A total of 432 community kitchens are currently being operated in various districts for flood-affected people. In addition, 14 relief camps are also being run, where arrangements have been made for accommodation, food, medical care and other essential services."

So far, around 1.29 lakh polythene sheets and about 22,900 dry ration packets have been distributed among affected people. A total of 1,832 boats are being operated for evacuation and transport, while 3,142 quintals of animal fodder have also been distributed. Altogether 27 SDRF teams and 10 NDRF teams have been deployed in various districts for rescue operations.

On water discharge from major barrages, the statement said the Gandak Barrage recorded a discharge of 1,04,400 cusecs at 10 am on Tuesday and the trend remained stable, against this year's highest discharge of 2,24,000 cusecs on July 14.

The Kosi Barrage recorded 1,69,985 cusecs at 10 am, with the trend declining, compared with this year's highest discharge of 2,55,425 cusecs on July 20.