Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Bihar Floods Affect Over 47 Lakh Across 15 Districts
Bihar is facing a very serious flood.
More than 47 lakh people across 15 districts have been affected.
The Ganga and other rivers are higher than their danger levels in several places.
Some embankments have broken or eroded, especially in Bhagalpur.
Workers and local residents have repaired some damaged areas and are working on others.
Officials say the Ganga at Patna reached a level higher than its previous 2016 record.
Boats, rescue teams, camps and community kitchens are helping people.
One report gave a slightly lower number of affected people and reported five deaths during a rescue attempt.
Officials expect conditions could improve soon, although more rain is forecast.
More than 47.33 lakh people were affected by flooding across 15 Bihar districts, although another bulletin cited 46.88 lakh.
The Ganga and several tributaries remained above danger levels, while at least four embankment breaches were reported in Bhagalpur.
About 20 feet of the Dhobania Zamindari Dam eroded, while a Brahmottar Dam breach was brought under control with officials and local help.
Officials said the Ganga at Patna’s Gandhi Ghat exceeded its previous 2016 maximum, partly because of high Son and Ghaghra discharges.
Relief efforts included 1,221 community kitchens, 15 camps, 1,876 boats, and 27 SDRF and 10 NDRF teams; one report also said five people died during a rescue attempt.
- Who
- More than 47 lakh Bihar residents, supported by government officials, rescue teams and local residents.
- What
- Flooding across 15 districts has caused high river levels, embankment erosion and breaches, particularly in Bhagalpur.
- When
- Friday, September 11, with river levels and relief operations continuing; some reports said conditions could improve within 24 hours.
- Where
- Bihar, especially Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar.
- Why
- High discharges in the Son and Ghaghra rivers, above-normal September rainfall and rising levels of the Ganga and its tributaries contributed to the flooding.
- People affected
- More than 47.33 lakh in the latest reports; another bulletin cited 46.88 lakh.
- Districts affected
- 15 districts, including Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar.
- Embankment damage
- At least four breaches were reported in Bhagalpur; about 20 feet of the Dhobania Zamindari Dam eroded.
- River levels
- The Ganga at Sultan Ganj was at 36.62 metres, or 2.12 metres above the danger level, at 6 am, though it was receding.
- Relief services
- There were 1,221 community kitchens and 15 relief camps serving 12,260 people.
- Rescue resources
- Authorities operated 1,876 boats and deployed 27 State Disaster Response Force teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force teams.
- Supplies distributed
- About 3.13 lakh polythene sheets, 48,400 dry-ration packets and 10,823 quintals of animal fodder.
