Bihar is facing a severe flood threat as the Ganga surged above the danger mark at multiple locations in and around Patna on 3 September, prompting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to personally inspect the river and direct emergency response operations. The Disaster Management Department has issued a formal alert, with forecasts warning that the river could breach its Highest Flood Level (HFL) at Gandhi Ghat by Thursday night.

Ground Assessment by Top Leaders

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited the Ganga on Thursday to assess the rapidly rising water levels firsthand. He issued directions to officials to ensure minimal inconvenience to residents and to complete all precautionary measures in advance to protect lives and property.

Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also toured Patna and adjoining areas, inspecting the river at JP Setu before travelling to Saran to assess conditions there. He also reviewed the water level at the six-lane bridge over the Ganga connecting Patna and Raghopur. Janata Dal (United) National Working President Sanjay Jha accompanied Kumar during the inspection.

Water Levels and Key Readings

According to data recorded on the morning of 3 September, the Ganga was flowing above the danger mark at several points. At Gandhi Ghat, the river was recorded at 49.71 metres against a danger mark of 48.60 metres — approximately 1.11 metres above the threshold. At Hathidah in Mokama, the level reached 42.96 metres, compared to a danger mark of 41.76 metres, placing it 1.20 metres above the danger level. The water level at Digha Ghat was recorded at 51.60 metres.

Notably, the river's water level has already surpassed the Highest Flood Level recorded in Patna in 2016, according to Sanjay Jha. Forecasts from the Water Resources Department indicate the Ganga at Gandhi Ghat could cross the HFL on Thursday night, while the Hathidah stretch in Mokama is expected to breach HFL by the afternoon of 4 September.

Nepal Floods Driving the Surge

Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Jha attributed the rapid rise in river levels partly to heavy rainfall and flooding in Nepal, which has significantly increased the flow of rivers entering Bihar. He said the state government had taken precautionary steps after receiving advance information about the surge from Nepal, which had so far helped prevent major loss of life and property.

This comes amid a broader pattern of Bihar's flood crisis being intensified by transboundary river flows — a recurring challenge for the state, particularly during the monsoon months of August and September.

High-Level Review and Emergency Deployment

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary conducted a high-level review of the flood situation via video conferencing from the Water Resources Department's Command and Control Centre in Patna. He assessed river levels and reports of cracks, damage, and breaches in embankments across districts, directing officials to remain on alert around the clock.

The situation in Bhagalpur was flagged as particularly serious, with the rising Ganga causing breaches at several embankment locations and triggering rapid bank erosion. Emergency measures are under way, including the deployment of mega geo-bags using steamers to counter strong currents. Engineers and officials from the Water Resources Department have been stationed directly at vulnerable embankments. The Punpun and Dardha rivers in South Bihar are also under close watch.

River and embankment conditions across the state are being monitored in real time from the Command and Control Centre to enable immediate emergency response.

Districts on Alert, Flood Season to Last Until October

Residents of vulnerable areas in Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, and Jehanabad have been urged to remain alert and follow all official instructions. The Disaster Management Department has appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary risks near rivers and to cooperate with authorities during any evacuation.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary warned that the flood season would persist and that the threat could continue until early October, describing the next one to one-and-a-half months as particularly challenging for both the Water Resources Department and the state administration.