Bihar on alert as major rivers swell following heavy rains, all 69 gates of Sone Barrage opened

Bihar has activated emergency protocols as major rivers swelled due to persistent rains, with all 69 gates of the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri in Rohtas district fully opened to manage the rising waters. Officials confirmed that water levels in the Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Ganga and Punpun rivers have exceeded dangerous thresholds in multiple locations, prompting heightened vigilance across the state. The Bihar Water Resources Department (WRD) issued its latest bulletin indicating that the Gandak River flows above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj, Sidhwalia and adjacent regions. The Kosi River has similarly surpassed the danger level at Baltara in Khagaria and Kursela in Katihar. The Burhi Gandak and Ganga rivers are also overflowing in various spots, while the Punpun River has crossed its danger mark in some areas. Despite these developments, no casualties have been reported thus far. Authorities have evacuated residents from low-lying zones to safer locations under the direction of local district administrations. Officials stated that all relevant departments are on high alert, with directives to maintain constant monitoring, ensure availability of essential supplies and conduct regular inspections of embankments. District administrations have also deployed alerts via loudspeakers and microphones in vulnerable areas. According to the meteorological department’s latest rainfall report, light to moderate precipitation occurred across numerous districts, including Araria, Arwal, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Jamui, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, Munger, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Purnea, Rohtas, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Vaishali, West Champaran and Aurangabad since September 1. The discharge of water from various barrages in the state has increased significantly. The Sone Barrage at Indrapuri released 5.59 lakh cusecs by 6 pm on Wednesday, while the Kosi Barrage at Birpur discharged 2.29 lakh cusecs and the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar released 1.77 lakh cusecs. Opening all 69 gates of the Sone Barrage aims to enhance water flow and mitigate flood risks. Officials attributed the current situation to prolonged rainfall in various parts of Bihar and continuous downpours in specific regions of Nepal. Affected districts include Bhagalpur, both West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Jehanabad, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Katihar and Bhojpur. In Patna, rising Ganga levels have inundated several roadside shops and vendors' carts along JP Ganga Path, commonly referred to as Marine Drive. Flood-like conditions have also developed in the Goh block and surrounding areas of Aurangabad due to the swollen Bela Punpun river. Officials noted that floodwaters have entered multiple villages, underscoring the severity of the situation.