Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Swollen Gandak Puts Bihar Embankments at Risk Across Districts
Heavy rain made the Gandak River rise very high in Bihar.
Its water stayed above earlier record flood levels in several places.
Two embankments, which help keep river water away from towns and villages, broke.
The Ganga was also above its danger mark and pushed extra pressure toward the Gandak.
Workers were watching weak spots and fighting the flooding around the clock.
The Gandak started going down, but officials expected strong water pressure for another 48 hours.
Other rivers, including the Bagmati and Burhi Gandak, were still rising in some places.
Low-lying areas in several districts were affected.
The Gandak remained above its previous Highest Flood Level at several locations in Bihar.
Breaches occurred in embankments in Saran and Muzaffarpur districts.
Heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh contributed to the rising water levels.
The Ganga’s high level created backflow pressure, while seepage and piping were reported.
Flooding affected low-lying areas across several districts, although Gandak levels began receding.
- Who
- Bihar’s Water Resources Department reported the situation; residents of several low-lying districts were affected.
- What
- The Gandak remained above its previous Highest Flood Level, threatening embankments and causing breaches in Saran and Muzaffarpur.
- When
- Thursday, October 1; the report said pressure could persist for the next 48 hours.
- Where
- Several locations in Bihar, including Gopalganj, Saran, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh raised river levels, while the Ganga created backflow pressure in the Gandak.
- Gandak level
- About 22 cm above the previous all-time Highest Flood Level at Dumariaghat for nearly 36 hours.
- Embankment breaches
- A right-embankment breach occurred in Panapur, Saran, and a ring embankment breached in Sahebganj, Muzaffarpur.
- Gandak discharge
- 95,340 cusecs at Valmikinagar at 8 am Thursday, down from 99,505 cusecs the previous evening.
- Bagmati level
- 50.03 metres at Benibad, 1.35 metres above the danger mark.
- Burhi Gandak level
- 36.96 metres at Khagaria, 0.38 metres above the danger level.
- Ganga level
- 49.67 metres at Gandhi Ghat and 42.49 metres at Hathidah, both above danger levels.
- Affected districts
- Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, East and West Champaran, Gopalganj and Supaul.