Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh Brace as Ganga Flood Threat Grows
Heavy rain has made the Ganga and several other rivers rise in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Some rivers in Bihar are now above the level considered dangerous.
Water has entered low-lying areas, and some villages and ghats are partly underwater.
Bihar has sent rescue teams to districts that may face flooding.
The government is also using 693 boats to move people and help with evacuations.
Relief camps and community kitchens are being prepared for families who need help.
In Prayagraj, the Ganga and Yamuna have flooded some low-lying settlements, although officials said both rivers were still below the danger mark there.
Leaders and officials are watching the situation and arranging supplies and rescue support.
The Ganga is above danger levels at several locations in Bihar, while other major rivers have also crossed their marks.
Bihar has deployed six National Disaster Response Force and 27 State Disaster Response Force teams in vulnerable districts.
Authorities are operating 693 government boats to support movement, rescue and evacuation.
Flooding has affected low-lying settlements in Bihar and Prayagraj, with several ghats submerged after heavy rainfall.
Officials have prepared relief camps and community kitchens while monitoring embankments and river levels.
- Who
- The Bihar government, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and Uttar Pradesh authorities are responding; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reviewed aspects of the situation.
- What
- Rising Ganga and Yamuna waters have caused flooding and submerged ghats, while Bihar has deployed rescue teams, boats, relief camps and other preparedness measures.
- When
- The situation and response measures were reported on Friday, September 5, 2026; Narendra Modi's call with the Varanasi district magistrate took place on Thursday.
- Where
- Affected or monitored areas include Bihar, Prayagraj and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and river locations across Patna, Bhagalpur, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Khagaria, Katihar, Siwan, Buxar and Munger.
- Why
- Heavy and incessant rainfall has raised river levels and increased the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
Official Preparedness
Flood Impacts and Concerns
Extent of the immediate threat
Official Preparedness
Officials in Prayagraj said the Ganga and Yamuna remained below the danger mark, while Bihar authorities said monitoring and preparedness had helped contain the impact.
Flood Impacts and Concerns
Low-lying settlements in Prayagraj and villages in Bihar have been inundated, and several ghats have gone underwater as river levels rise.
Response capacity
Official Preparedness
Authorities have deployed 33 rescue teams, 693 boats, relief camps and community kitchens, and ordered officials to maintain essential supplies.
Flood Impacts and Concerns
Residents in affected areas have had to use boats and relocate with families and livestock, showing that flooding is already disrupting daily life.
Public-health concerns
Official Preparedness
Bihar departments are issuing advisories, including warnings against consuming unidentified fish brought by floodwaters.
Flood Impacts and Concerns
Officials warned that flood-displaced fish may be contaminated after exposure to sewage, dead animals and other waste, creating concern for people who consume them.
- Bihar response teams
- Six National Disaster Response Force teams and 27 State Disaster Response Force teams are on round-the-clock standby.
- Boats
- 693 government boats are operating in affected areas for movement and evacuation.
- Rivers above danger levels
- The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghra are above danger levels at specified locations in Bihar.
- Ganga locations
- The Ganga is above the danger mark at Digha and Gandhi Ghat in Patna Sadar, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger.
- Bihar relief measures
- District administrations are running relief operations, including community kitchens and relief camps.
- Prayagraj
- Several ghats are submerged, and water from the Ganga and Yamuna has entered low-lying settlements; officials said both rivers remained below the danger mark there.
- Embankment monitoring
- Bihar's Water Resources department was instructed to continuously monitor embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur.
