Swollen Ganges River in Bihar affects over 1.35 million people and claims more than 10 lives
Severe flooding in Bihar, India, has affected over 1.35 million people and claimed more than ten lives after heavy rainfall in nearby regions caused the Ganges River to flood.
Image credit: Copernicus EU/Senintel-2, The Watchers
- Viral footage showed homes crumbling into the river while key infrastructure like highways were inundated.
- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has done aerial reconnaissance, and emergency forces are assisting. Despite the minor decline in water levels, the flood risk remains significant. Authorities are constantly watching the situation due to more rain in the forecast.
Intense and widespread rainfall in Nepal and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand since mid-September has caused rivers in North and South Bihar to overflow, resulting in severe flooding across the region.
The floods have affected about 1.35 million people in the state and claimed the lives of more than 10 people in districts such as Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, and others.
Patna, Bhagalpur, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Katihar, Khagaria, and Munger are among the cities hardest hit.
Many low-lying settlements near riverbanks, such as Manjhi, Chhapra, Dighwara, Avatarnagar, and Sonpur, face issues due to waterlogging and flood situations, as floodwaters disrupt connections.
By Saturday night, September 28, the Ganges is expected to fall by 35 – 60 cm (13.8 – 23.6 inches) compared to Thursday, September 26.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the state still faces an overall rainfall deficit of 28 percent.
The swelling floodwaters of the Saryu River have hindered Chhapra Ballia’s main road number 19, with 0.5 to 1 m (2 to 4 feet) of water between Barhampur and Inai.
Viral videos show homes collapsing into the river as floodwaters quickly consume them. On September 20, the river reportedly flowed 220 cm (87 inches) above the danger level in Samastipur.
This has led to massive devastation and flooding of important infrastructure such as National Highway 80. On September 24, the water level dropped 14 cm (6 inches) in Bhagalpur, yet it remains 1.5 m (5 feet) above the danger level.
The flooded Ganges River has swallowed at least ten buildings in Mamalkha village, and over 376 village panchayats are experiencing flood-like conditions.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched aerial assessments to examine the damage on September 20. “A complete vigil should be maintained in the areas where floodwater is spreading. The district magistrates should also constantly monitor the situation, while engineers and senior officials should camp near the affected places,” he said.
Emergency services have been mobilized, with the government assisting trapped people with shelter, food, and transportation by boat.
References:
1 Bihar Flood: Ganga flowing 220 cm above the danger mark in Samastipur, dozens of panchayats in 3 blocks affected by floods – Zee Bihar Jharkhand – September 20, 2024
2 Rising ganga water engulfs home in Bihar – PTC News – September 24, 2024
3 Swollen river Ganga swallows up houses in Bihar, India – 1,350,000 affected by flooding in the state – NDTV – September 24, 2024
4 River Ganga swallows homes in Bhagalpur as rains ravage the region – India Today – September 24, 2024
5 Flood in Bihar – Drishtiias – September 23, 2024
6 Ganga inundates 11 Bihar districts after heavy rain, 5.35 lakh people affected by floods – The Telegraph September 21, 2024
7 Bihar Flood: More than 10 people died due to drowning in Bihar, flood water is swallowing people like death – Prabhat Khabar – September 23, 2024
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