Ganga may breach highest flood mark at Patna's Gandhi Ghat tonight, Bihar on alert

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday inspected the rising water level of the Ganga along the J.P. Ganga Path in Patna, as the state's Disaster Management Department warned that the river could breach its highest recorded flood mark at Gandhi Ghat by Thursday night.

The department said the water level was also expected to exceed the mark at Hathidah in Mokama around noon on Friday. Officials have issued alerts for eight districts — Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad — urging residents in low-lying areas and along riverbanks to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement near ghats and embankments.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said he had directed officials to take all necessary precautions to ensure public safety and prevent inconvenience. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, reviewed the situation via video conference from the department's Command and Control Centre.

"Things are under control, but the situation remains challenging and difficult," the Deputy Chief Minister said, adding that senior officials and engineers were stationed at vulnerable sites. He noted that erosion-related damage in the Kajikoraiya-Raghopur area of Bhagalpur district had been contained, though the situation there remained tough.

The rising water levels in the Ganga, Punpun and Dardha rivers were attributed to heavy rainfall in parts of Bihar and continuous rain in Jharkhand over recent days. Officials have been instructed to monitor embankments and vulnerable locations round the clock and report any unusual developments immediately.

The administration has advised residents not to panic but to stay alert, avoid bathing or swimming in the river, and refrain from unnecessary boat rides. People have been urged to keep essential documents, medicines, torches, drinking water and emergency supplies ready, and to be prepared to move to designated safe locations or relief camps if instructed. In an emergency, residents can contact the State Emergency Operation Centre at 1070 or local authorities for assistance.