States » EastPosted at: Oct 1 2026 2:45PM


Gandak surges 22 cm above historic high, embankment breaches raise alarm in Bihar

Patna, Oct 1 (UNI) The Gandak River has breached its historic flood-level record in Bihar, rising 22 cms above its previous highest flood level and putting intense pressure on embankments in several areas.
Official sources said here on Thursday that the flood situation has turned critical in parts of Saran and Muzaffarpur, where erosion has led to breaches in embankments at Panapur and Sahebganj, respectively. The situation is expected to remain sensitive for the next 48 hours amid continued pressure on the river system.
According to the Gandak Flash Flood Report issued by the Bihar Water Resources Department today, heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh has resulted in an unprecedented rise in the Gandak's water level.
At Dumariaghat in Gopalganj, the river remained above its historic highest flood level for nearly 36 hours, while at Rewaghat in Saran and Lalganj in Vaishali, the water level remained above the record level for around 21 hours.
The exceptionally high water level has placed severe pressure on both the left and right embankments of the Gandak. The department reported seepage and piping at several locations, prompting intensified monitoring and flood-control operations by engineers and field personnel.
Despite ongoing efforts, a breach occurred in the Right Saran Embankment in the Panapur block of Saran district following erosion. In the Sahebganj block of Muzaffarpur district, erosion also caused a breach in a ring embankment under the Tirhut Main Embankment.
The department said other vulnerable locations were currently safe and under control, with intensive flood-fighting measures continuing at the sites.
Departmental data of this morning showed that the Gandak's water level at Dumariaghat stood at 64.39 metres, falling marginally to 64.35 metres at 7 am. At Rewaghat, the level declined from 55.60 metres at 6 am to 55.55 metres an hour later. At Lalganj in Vaishali, the water level remained steady at 52.32 metres.
Officials said the slight decline at some monitoring stations indicated that the river had started receding, although its level remained above the historic high and continued to pose a serious threat.
The situation has been further complicated by the elevated water level of the Ganga, which is creating backflow pressure on the Gandak. The combined impact of high river levels and backflow has increased the stress on embankments at vulnerable locations.
According to the data released this morning, the discharge from the Valmikinagar Barrage into the Gandak was recorded at around 1.02 lakh cusecs. The Birpur Barrage was releasing 95,340 cusecs into the Kosi, while discharge from the Indrapuri Barrage into the Son had declined to 46,743 cusecs.
The Water Resources Department said the Gandak's water level had begun to fall, but the river was still flowing above its historic highest flood level. The pressure is expected to persist for the next 48 hours, requiring continuous surveillance of vulnerable embankment stretches, control of seepage and piping, and sustained flood-fighting operations.
UNI RS RSA
Tags: #Gandak surges 22 cm above historic high# embankment breaches raise alarm in Bihar
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