​​Bihar Flood: Fresh breach in the embankment in Saran, Gopalganj and Muzaffarpur

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary said the government is fully alert over rising river levels; however, the next 48 hours are crucial.

Updated - October 02, 2026 03:51 am IST - PATNA

Flood-affected people move to a safer place by tractor from an inundated area in Chapra, in Saran on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ANI

Floodwaters have entered several villages in Saran, Gopalganj, and Muzaffarpur on Thursday (October 1, 2026) following the fresh breach in the embankments and dams along the Gandak River. Earlier, embankments were breached at several locations in West Champaran and East Champaran districts.

In Gopalganj, many villages have been affected by the collapse of the Shitalpur dam, while an embankment has also been breached in the Panapur area of ​​Chhapra in Saran. Additionally, a breach has taken place in a ring bund of the Tirhut main embankment in the Sahebganj block of Muzaffarpur district.

Following heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, the Gandak River is in spate. At Dumaria Ghat (Gopalganj), the water level has remained approximately 22 cm above the Highest Flood Level (HFL) for nearly 36 hours, while at Rewaghat (Saran) and Lalganj (Vaishali), it has stayed above this mark for about 24 hours. This surge has exerted immense pressure on both embankments of the Gandak.

According to the Water Resources Department, the already elevated water level of the Ganga has made the situation even more challenging. With the Ganga flowing above the danger mark, backflow pressure is building up in the Gandak, prompting the administration and the Water Resources Department to step up vigilance regarding the monitoring and safety of the embankments.

Critical seepage and piping conditions have been observed at three locations along the Saran embankment; however, the department claimed that flood-fighting operations to secure these points are proceeding on a war footing.

The sustained high-water pressure has led to seepage and piping issues at several other locations, and intensive flood-fighting measures are being carried out to ensure safety and control, alongside continuous monitoring of vulnerable sites.

Departmental officials said that the water level of the Gandak River has now started to decline. Although the water level has begun to drop, it remains above the previous all-time high flood level. Hydraulic pressure on the embankments is expected to persist for the next 48 hours; consequently.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited the JP Ganga Path to inspect the rising water level of the Ganga River, and during the visit, he issued necessary directives to the concerned officials. The Chief Minister directed to ensure that the public face no inconvenience and that their safety is the top priority.

Mr. Choudhary said that the government is fully alert over the rising water levels in the rivers and instructions have been issued to maintain special vigilance over the next 48 hours.

“Assistance has also been sought from the Air Force for relief and rescue operations. This time, the Ganga, Gandak, and Sone rivers have witnessed record water inflows. This situation prevails despite Bihar having received 32 per cent less rainfall than normal this season. The government is fully prepared to assist flood victims, and relief and rescue operations are currently underway,”Mr. Choudhary said.

An Indian Air Force helicopter was used to air-drop dry rations in the Panapur block of Saran district.

As a large number of people are stranded in the flood-affected areas, 14 NDRF teams are deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations, including moving stranded individuals to safer locations and distributing relief supplies.

Published - October 02, 2026 03:50 am IST

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