The flood situation in Bihar has turned severe as the Ganga and several of its tributaries continue to flow above the danger mark. Rising water levels have disrupted daily life in multiple districts, cutting off road connectivity and forcing large-scale evacuation efforts. Several villages have been submerged, while urban areas in Bhagalpur, Khagaria, and Munger have seen floodwaters entering residential and commercial spaces.

On Sunday, floodwaters spread into new low-lying areas of Bhagalpur city, even reaching the university guest house. In Patna district’s Diara region, road links have been completely severed. Nalanda and Begusarai districts have also reported several villages under water. The State Disaster Management Department has confirmed that 19 people lost their lives in flood-related incidents on Sunday alone.

Rising Death Toll in Flood-Hit Areas

According to official data, the fatalities include eight deaths in Begusarai, two each in Bhagalpur, Siwan, Bhojpur, and Khagaria, and one each in Munger, Vaishali, and Katihar. In the Seemanchal and eastern Bihar regions, four people drowned in floodwaters—two from Bhagalpur, one from Khagaria, and one from Katihar.

The victims include a Kanwariya pilgrim from Supaul and a 12-year-old girl from Pirpainti in Bhagalpur. In Khagaria’s Temtha village, an 88-year-old man drowned while stepping out at night. In Katihar’s Amadabad, a 65-year-old man also lost his life. Begusarai reported eight deaths, including a mother and daughter. In Siwan, two cousins drowned in a pond. Bhojpur recorded two deaths—a 56-year-old man from Balu Chak and a differently-abled youth from Badki Singhi.

Over 1.2 Million People Impacted Across Eight Districts

The Disaster Management Department reports that eight districts are severely affected, impacting 12.58 lakh residents across 230 panchayats. More than 1,000 boats are currently operating in flood-hit areas to maintain connectivity.

Patna district alone has 1.85 lakh affected residents across 24 panchayats, where 104 boats are deployed. Bhojpur has 1.68 lakh affected people in 30 panchayats, with 261 boats in service. Vaishali district has 1.67 lakh residents impacted in 23 panchayats, supported by 165 boats.

In Lakhisarai, 11,600 people are affected in 4 panchayats with 23 boats. Bhagalpur has 2.37 lakh residents affected across 67 panchayats, with 53 boats deployed. Munger is seeing 1.26 lakh affected people in 28 panchayats, aided by 80 boats. Begusarai is among the worst-hit with 3.15 lakh affected in 36 panchayats, where 196 boats are operational. Saran has 38,340 affected residents in 18 panchayats, with 125 boats in service.

Rescue and relief work is being carried out by 22 SDRF teams and 10 NDRF teams across the state.

Ganga River Above Danger Mark from Buxar to Bhagalpur

The Ganga is flowing above the danger level along its course from Buxar to Bhagalpur. The Water Resources Department has placed embankments in nearly 15 districts under round-the-clock monitoring. Tributaries including the Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Aghwara, Punpun, Sone, Kamla Balan, Bhutahi Balan, Mahananda, and Ghaghra are also flowing above the danger mark.

Officials warn that embankment pressure is high in several locations, increasing the risk of breaches if water levels continue to rise.

Roads Cut Off, Urban Flooding Worsens

With water levels rising in major rivers, the flood situation has intensified. In Bhagalpur, Khagaria, and Munger, both rural and urban areas are under water, making travel and relief work more difficult. On Saturday, authorities halted traffic on NH-80 between Bhagalpur and Sultanganj due to waterlogging. On Sunday, the Goradih road linking Bhagalpur to Sanhoula was also submerged.

Several rural roads in Sabour, Kahalgaon, and Pirpainti are completely underwater. In these areas, rising Ganga levels have worsened urban flooding, leaving large parts of the city isolated.

Crocodile Attacks in Flood Relief Camps

In a shocking incident from Nathnagar, floodwaters in seven panchayats have caused widespread destruction. On Sunday morning, as people were heading to a relief camp, a large crocodile attacked seven individuals. Authorities are investigating the incident and have issued fresh advisories to prevent such attacks in inundated areas.

Relief Efforts Continue Amid Growing Challenges

The state government has intensified rescue and relief operations, focusing on evacuating stranded residents and supplying food and drinking water to flood victims. Medical teams are deployed to prevent waterborne diseases, which often spike during prolonged flooding.

Officials emphasize the need for constant embankment monitoring, as breaches could exacerbate the crisis. Relief camps have been set up across affected districts, but overcrowding and sanitation issues remain concerns.

The situation continues to evolve, with meteorological forecasts warning of more rainfall in the coming days, which could worsen flooding in already affected regions. The Disaster Management Department has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and cooperate with evacuation efforts when necessary.