Bihar’s flood situation remained critical on Friday, with around 46.88 lakh people affected across 15 districts as the Ganga and several of its tributaries continued flowing above danger levels. Rising water levels have triggered erosion and embankment breaches in multiple areas, particularly in Bhagalpur district, where at least four breaches were reported. Officials said repair and restoration work was underway at the affected locations, while vulnerable embankments were being monitored continuously to prevent further damage.

One breach at the Brahmottar Dam in Gopalpur block was brought under control overnight with the assistance of a technical team from the Water Resources Department and local residents. At the Dhobania Zamindari Dam in Rangra block, nearly 20 feet of embankment eroded around 4.30 am, allowing floodwaters to flow alongside PWD Road No. 14. Authorities have deployed bamboo piling, sandbags and plastic sheets as part of efforts to strengthen the damaged section and stop the breach from widening.

Additional breaches were reported at Dhobania Dam on the Kalbalia River in Rangra Chowk and at Budhiya Dam, which forms part of the Sadopur ring embankment, in Bania Baisi panchayat. Technical teams have been sent to the affected sites, and officials said emergency measures were being taken to contain the spread of floodwaters. The situation remains particularly concerning in low-lying areas where continued river erosion could threaten roads, homes, agricultural land and local infrastructure.

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According to the latest bulletin issued by the Bihar Disaster Management Department, the floods have affected people in 561 gram panchayats spread across 88 blocks. Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar are among the worst-affected districts. Officials attributed the continuing rise in water levels to persistent rainfall in Bihar and heavy rain in the catchment areas of Nepal. The state has recorded 90 mm of rainfall in September so far, around 20 per cent above the normal level.

The Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.62 metres at 6 am on Friday, standing 2.12 metres above the danger mark, although the water level was reportedly receding. Several other rivers also remained above their danger levels, including the Gandak at Dumriya Ghat, the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela, the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria and the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger. The Punpun, Bagmati and Ghaghra rivers were also above danger levels at several monitoring points.

Relief and rescue operations have been intensified across the affected districts. The state is currently operating 1,194 community kitchens, while 15 relief camps are providing food, shelter, medical assistance and essential services to 11,255 flood victims. Authorities have distributed approximately 3.10 lakh polythene sheets and 48,300 dry-ration packets. As many as 1,922 boats are being used for evacuation and transportation, while 7,535 quintals of animal fodder have been supplied. Twenty-seven State Disaster Response Force teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed. The Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at some places over the next two days, with heavy rain possible in isolated locations.

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