Patna: The flood emergency across Bihar deepened drastically on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as torrential Himalayan upstream discharges and relentless monsoon runoff pushed the Ganga River beyond its historic Highest Flood Level (HFL) at Patna's iconic Gandhi Ghat and Digha. Official hydrologic bulletins from the Water Resources Department (WRD) confirmed that the river breached the historic 50.52-metre mark, reaching 50.53 metres with forecasts predicting a further surge toward 50.62 metres. The swelling waters have swamped riverside settlements, arterial access roads, and rural panchayats across Danapur, Maner, Phulwari Sharif, and neighboring Vaishali. For real-time meteorological advisories, river level metrics, and multi-state flood alerts, check out the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

All-Time HFL Breached: Gandhi Ghat and Digha Under High Alert

The breaching of the Highest Flood Level in the capital district has placed civic authorities on extreme alert. At Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga surged 1 cm above its previous all-time peak of 50.52 metres, while water levels at Digha and Hathidah in Mokama reached critical overflow levels. Knee-deep waters entered service lanes near Bhadraghat, Mahavir Ghat, and low-lying sectors of Patna Rural, forcing thousands of residents living in riverine 'diara' belts to evacuate toward elevated embankments and flood shelters.

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Massive Disaster Mobilization: 33 NDRF/SDRF Teams and 693 Rescue Boats

In response to the escalating inundation, the State Disaster Management Department, in close coordination with central agencies, has mobilized extensive rescue machinery:

  • 33 Response Battalions Deployed: A combined contingent of 33 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams has been stationed across vulnerable river corridors to conduct high-risk evacuations.
  • 693 Evacuation Motorboats: Hundreds of motorized rescue boats and traditional country craft have been requisitioned to extricate stranded families, livestock, and essential household assets from waterlogged islands.
  • Community Relief Camps: District magistrates have activated round-the-clock community kitchens (langer) and distribution nodes for purified drinking water, dry ration packets, and chlorine tablets.
  • Continuous Embankment Surveillance: Flying squads of irrigation engineers have been deployed to patrol vulnerable earthen bunds and barrages from Buxar down to Bhagalpur to prevent breaches.

16 Districts Submerged as Tributaries Flow Above Danger Marks

The flood crisis is not confined to the Ganga alone. Extreme downpours across catchment zones in Nepal and neighboring northern states have caused major tributaries—including the Punpun, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Son, Bagmati, and Kosi—to overflow their banks simultaneously:

  • Affected Districts: Severe inundation has been reported across 16 districts spanning northern, central, and southern Bihar, including Patna, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Saran, Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, and Nalanda.
  • Sone River Outflow: Following heavy runoff, 69 gates at the Indrapuri Barrage in Rohtas released massive water volumes into the Sone River, exacerbating flooding in southern agricultural belts.
  • Infrastructure Disruptions: Sections of key transit links, including national highway stretches in Buxar and rural link roads across Bettiah, have been severed by gushing waters and riverbank erosion.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted aerial reconnaissance over inundated tracts, directing district collectors to expedite gratuitous relief disbursement, establish round-the-clock medical camps, and ensure that no affected hamlet remains cut off from food and medical supplies.