Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 stated that the state government is deploying all necessary measures to provide relief to flood-affected residents across six to seven districts of Bihar, as water levels in several rivers rose beyond danger marks. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an aerial survey of inundated areas, underscoring the severity of what officials are calling the second phase of this season's flood crisis.

Scale of the Crisis

Janata Dal (United) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad described the current situation as a second surge, with a discharge of approximately 5.5 lakh cusecs of water pushing through river systems and leaving around six districts badly affected. The Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow alert for rain in 12 districts of north Bihar, including East Champaran, with thunderstorms and winds of up to 30 kmph forecast.

Minister Yadav noted that the recurring pattern of devastation strikes farmers particularly hard. 'Sometimes it is the Gandak that causes havoc, and sometimes it is the impact from Nepal. A flood is a disaster, and this is what the entire state of Bihar is suffering from. Every year, there is devastation. Farmers' crops are destroyed, infrastructure is damaged, and whatever is rebuilt over the course of a year is destroyed again,' he said.

Government Response and Relief Operations

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted both an aerial and a surface-level inspection, visiting Hussaini block in East Champaran district to assess conditions around Dumaria Ghat Bridge and surrounding areas. He sought updates from officials on water levels and containment measures.

NDRF and SDRF teams are reportedly working round the clock. Precautionary steps in place include protection of embankments, relief camps, community kitchens, and protocols for evacuating residents to safe locations. Ranjan Prasad noted that operations are being conducted in accordance with the standard operating procedures drawn up under former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Minister Yadav affirmed the government's commitment to agriculture: 'The government stands fully with the farmers. We will serve the farmers of the state to our full potential.'

The Nepal Factor and Long-Term Demands

JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak pointed to glacial melt and runoff from Nepal as the structural driver behind Bihar's annual flood cycles. 'When glaciers break in Nepal and water flows down from there, Bihar, being a Terai region, is naturally at greater risk,' he said. He added that the party has long demanded a high dam be constructed in coordination with Nepal, and claimed the Government of India has now accepted this demand in principle. 'Once it is built, it will certainly ensure the safety of Bihar,' he said.

This comes amid a broader, decades-long debate over transboundary water management between India and Nepal along rivers such as the Gandak, Kosi, and Bagmati — all of which drain southward into Bihar's flatlands.

Advisory to Residents

Officials urged residents in flood-affected zones not to panic and to strictly follow district administration guidelines. Ranjan Prasad said, 'Instead of panicking, the people living in the flood-ridden areas should listen and adhere to the guidelines issued by the district administration.' The administration has been put on heightened alert given the yellow alert still active for 12 north Bihar districts.

With the second flood phase still unfolding and more rain forecast, the government's ability to sustain relief operations across all affected districts will be closely watched in the coming days.