PATNA — The waters won’t stop rising. Across 15 districts of Bihar, rivers swollen by relentless rain have burst their banks, submerging homes, temples, and farmland in a grim aquatic siege. Official counts now confirm a staggering 49.36 lakh people—nearly 5 million souls—caught in the deluge, their lives upended as rescue teams scramble to respond.

Key facts

  • 49.36 lakh people affected across 15 districts
  • 111.7 mm rainfall in September, 13% above normal
  • 1,260 community kitchens and 13 relief camps operational
  • 27 SDRF and 10 NDRF teams deployed

Rivers in Rebellion

This isn’t just seasonal flooding. Multiple rivers are charging well above their danger marks, turning familiar landscapes into treacherous waterways. The Ganga at Sultanganj measured 36.21 meters—a harrowing 1.71 meters past the danger level. The Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Punpun, and others followed suit, their currents fueled by heavy downpours in Bihar and catchment areas in Nepal.

Relief in Motion

Amid the chaos, a response is taking shape. The state administration has launched 1,260 community kitchens and set up 13 relief camps, providing essential aid—shelter, food, medical care—to over 11,000 displaced residents. Disaster response teams are on the ground: 27 units from the State Disaster Response Force and 10 from the National Disaster Response Force, navigating inundated zones to reach those stranded.

Behind the Numbers

Local weather officials note that Bihar has already recorded 111.7 mm of rain this September—about 13% above normal. At the Gandak barrage in Valmiki Nagar, water discharge hit 90,600 cusecs by Monday morning, with levels still climbing. The Kosi Barrage at Birpur, meanwhile, recorded 1,51,015 cusecs, still below its July peak of 2,55,425 cusecs but alarming nonetheless.

The affected districts include Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura, and Araria—a broad swath of the state now under water.