Key Highlights:

  • Yellow Alert issued for 13 districts: IMD flagged rain across West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Samastipur and Supaul.
  • Heavy rain expected in 4 districts: Supaul, Samastipur, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga are likely to see heavy rainfall, with winds up to 30 kmph and lightning possible.
  • 6.65 lakh people affected by floods: Floodwaters have hit 18 districts, driven by heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttarakhand raising river levels across Bihar.
  • Ganga, Punpun above danger mark: The Ganga is flowing above danger levels from Buxar to Bhagalpur; the Punpun has crossed the mark by 2.75 metres, breaching embankments in south Patna.
  • 35% rainfall deficit despite floods: Bihar has received only 531.3 mm against an expected 820.9 mm this season, even as isolated heavy spells trigger flooding.
  • Transport links disrupted: The Patna-Gaya rail section, Bihta-Sarmera NH 78 and Mokama National Highway have all been affected by rising waters.

Patna: The monsoon remains active across Bihar, with the Meteorological Department issuing a Yellow Alert for rain in 13 districts on Monday, even as floods driven by upstream rainfall continue to affect lakhs of people across the state.

The alert covers West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Samastipur and Supaul. Heavy rainfall has been forecast in four districts — Supaul, Samastipur, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga — with strong winds reaching speeds of up to 30 kmph and the possibility of lightning also expected in some areas. The Meteorological Centre has advised residents to remain cautious during adverse weather.

What A Yellow Alert Means

Under IMD's colour-coded weather warning system, a Yellow Alert signals "watch and stay updated" — conditions worth monitoring but not requiring the heightened preparedness of an Orange Alert ("be prepared") or the more severe Red Alert ("take action"), which is reserved for extreme weather likely to cause significant disruption or damage.

Rainfall Pattern: Heavy Spells, Yet An Overall Deficit

Several parts of Bihar received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours. Munger recorded 73 mm, followed by Patna with 68 mm, Banka with 67 mm, Muzaffarpur with 65 mm, and Jamui and Siwan with 55 mm each.

Despite this recent rainfall, Bihar has recorded a 35 per cent deficit in cumulative rainfall so far this season — against an expected 820.9 mm, the state has received only 531.3 mm. This gap explains why the state can simultaneously face a rainfall shortfall and severe localised flooding: intense, concentrated spells in the catchment areas of Nepal and Uttarakhand are overwhelming specific river stretches even as Bihar's own season-long rainfall total lags behind normal.

Patna received 68 mm of rainfall on Sunday. The capital is expected to remain cloudy on Monday, although the possibility of continuous heavy rainfall is low, with light drizzle likely in some areas. Humidity and temperatures may rise once the rain subsides, while no significant change in temperature is expected over the coming week.

Rivers Above Danger Mark, Embankments Breached

While rainfall continues in parts of the state, rising river levels have compounded the situation. Heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttarakhand — both upstream of Bihar's river network — has contributed to increased water levels in several rivers, with floodwaters now affecting 18 districts and approximately 6.65 lakh people.

The Ganga is flowing above the danger mark from Buxar to Bhagalpur — a stretch of roughly 300 km covering some of the state's most densely populated riverside areas. The "danger mark" refers to the water level beyond which a river is considered likely to cause flooding to surrounding low-lying and embankment-protected areas.

The Punpun has risen 2.75 metres above the danger mark, with floodwaters reportedly overtopping or breaching protective embankments in the southern parts of Patna and entering residential areas — bringing floodwaters unusually close to the state capital itself.

Transport And Riverside Villages Hit

Flooding has also disrupted transportation at several locations, with water affecting the Patna-Gaya railway section, Bihta-Sarmera NH 78, and the Mokama National Highway.

The Son River has also caused flooding in riverside villages in the Bihta block, affecting around 20,000 people and submerging several roads.

According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall across Bihar is expected to remain uneven over the next few days, with localised cloud activity and light rain likely in different areas.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also Read: Bihar Floods: Ganga Nears Highest Flood Level in Patna, Bhagalpur