Ganga water level likely to breach ‘highest flood mark’ at Patna’s Gandhi Ghat on Sept. 3 night

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday (September 3, 2026) inspected the rising water level of the Ganga amid heavy rain in the State and directed officials to take necessary measures in view of the potential flood situation.

The river’s water level is rising and is likely to breach the “highest flood mark” at Gandhi Ghat in Patna on Thursday night (September 3, 2026), the Disaster Management Department said in a statement.

It also warned people living along the riverbanks and in low-lying areas of Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad districts to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement near ghats and embankments.

CM Choudhary inspected the rising water level of the Ganga along J.P. Ganga Path. In a post on X, the CM said he had directed officials to take necessary measures in view of the potential flood situation to ensure public safety and prevent inconvenience.

“The water level in the Ganga river is likely to breach the highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat in Patna on Thursday night and at Hathidah in Mokama around noon on September 4,” an official said.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, who also holds the Water Resources Department portfolio, reviewed the flood situation across the State through a video conference from the department’s Command and Control Centre.

“Things are under control, but the situation remains challenging and difficult. Senior departmental officials and engineers are present at vulnerable sites and keeping a close watch on the situation,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He said the situation in Kajikoraiya-Raghopur and adjoining areas of Bhagalpur district, where severe erosion by the Ganga had been reported, had been brought under control by department officials. “Now, we can say that further damage from the erosion caused by the Ganga in Raghopur has been averted. However, the situation remains tough,” he said.

On the rising water level of the river in other districts, Mr. Chaudhary said officials were working round the clock and monitoring the situation.

“Officials are working round the clock and monitoring the situation. I also reviewed the rising water levels in Ganga, Punpun and Dardha rivers and instructed officials to remain vigilant and ensure continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas and ongoing flood-fighting operations so that potential damage could be contained and the safety of people ensured,” he said.

The water level of the Ganga is rising due to heavy rainfall in parts of the state and continuous rainfall in Jharkhand over the past few days, the deputy chief minister said.

Officials have been instructed to keep a close watch on embankments and vulnerable locations and immediately report any unusual situation to senior authorities, he said. The administration has appealed to people not to panic but to remain alert and follow official information and instructions regarding rising water levels or flooding, Mr. Chaudhary said.

People have also been advised against bathing or swimming in the river, undertaking unnecessary boat rides or engaging in other risky activities near the river.

“Residents should keep essential documents, medicines, mobile phones, torches, drinking water and other emergency supplies ready and be prepared to move to designated safe locations or relief camps if instructed by the administration,” the department said in an advisory.

It urged people to follow only instructions issued by the administration and rescue teams in case of flooding.

In an emergency, people can contact the State Emergency Operation Centre at 1070 or the local administration for assistance, the department said.