Rising Ganga Puts Bihar on High Alert as Flood Threat Spreads

PATNA, September 5, 2026 — The flood situation along the Ganga has intensified in Bihar, with the river crossing its recorded highest flood level at Gandhi Ghat in Patna as several other rivers remain above danger marks across the state.

The Ganga at Gandhi Ghat reached about 50.53 metres on Saturday morning, above the site’s highest flood level of 50.52 metres, according to reports citing official water-level data. The river’s danger mark at the location is 48.60 metres.

The rise has increased the risk of inundation in low-lying areas around Patna and added pressure on authorities already responding to flooding in several districts.

Rescue teams and boats deployed

The Bihar government has intensified its flood response as the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghra rivers continue to run above danger levels at various locations.

The Indian Express reported that 33 rescue teams, including six from the National Disaster Response Force and 27 from the State Disaster Response Force, have been deployed in vulnerable areas. Nearly 700 government-operated boats are also being used for evacuation and other relief operations.

Relief camps and community kitchens have been established in affected areas, including parts of Patna, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur and Vaishali. Authorities are also providing basic services and medical assistance at relief locations.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas on Friday and subsequently reviewed water levels, embankments and rescue operations with officials.

He directed district magistrates and police superintendents in affected districts to remain on the ground and ensure assistance reaches people in vulnerable areas.

Patna faces growing pressure

The rising Ganga is particularly significant for Patna because the city is surrounded by the Ganga and other rivers, including the Sone and Punpun.

Authorities have ordered the closure of all 108 openings in the Patna Town Protection Walls as a precaution, the Times of India reported. Officials have also been instructed to keep close watch on embankments along the Ganga between Buxar and Bhagalpur.

The crossing of the 2016 highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat does not, by itself, mean the entire city is inundated. River levels vary considerably between monitoring stations, and the danger and highest-flood levels are specific to individual locations.

But the reading is a serious warning because water levels remain elevated while rainfall continues across parts of the river basin.

More rain could keep rivers swollen

The India Meteorological Department has forecast further rain in Bihar. Its Patna meteorological centre issued warnings for heavy rain on September 5, 6, 7 and 8, along with thunderstorm and lightning warnings on several of those days.

The wider Ganga basin is also experiencing unsettled weather. The IMD’s September 5 warning shows heavy-rain alerts for parts of Uttar Pradesh, including West Uttar Pradesh on September 5 and 6, while East Uttar Pradesh has heavy-rain warnings from September 6 through 8.

That forecast matters because additional rainfall can increase runoff into already swollen rivers and complicate evacuation and embankment protection.

Flood conditions extend beyond Bihar

The flood pressure is not confined to Patna.

In Uttar Pradesh, rising Ganga and Varuna levels have affected parts of Varanasi. Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal inspected flood-affected areas of Salarpur ward by boat on Friday and directed officials to maintain sanitation measures and relief facilities.

Further downstream, the situation is also being closely watched in West Bengal. The Ganga at Manikchak Ghat was reported at 25.22 metres on Friday evening, only eight centimetres below the extreme danger level of 25.30 metres. The water level was described as steady but expected to rise.

The Farakka Barrage was reported to be operating normally, with discharge through the barrage at about 1.15 million cusecs at the time of the report. Officials said the overall situation remained under control.

What remains unclear

The immediate priority remains protecting people living in low-lying and riverine areas and preventing further inundation.

Current reports confirm a significant rise in river levels and an intensified government response, but a consolidated statewide figure for the number of people newly affected by the latest Ganga surge was not available in the sources reviewed for this report.

The sources used here also do not provide a verified current statewide flood death toll. Earlier figures from previous flood years should not be carried into the present situation.

For now, authorities are relying on continuous river-level monitoring, embankment inspections, evacuation where necessary, and the deployment of rescue personnel and boats.

With additional rain forecast in Bihar and parts of the Ganga basin over the next several days, the situation remains developing and could change quickly.