Ganga above danger mark in Bihar, 33 rescue teams, 700 boats deployed

Bihar government has deployed 33 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in flood-sensitive districts as rising water levels in several major rivers continue to affect parts of the state, the Disaster Management department said on Friday.

“Six NDRF and 27 SDRF teams have been positioned in vulnerable districts and are on round-the-clock standby for relief and rescue operations,” an official said, adding that 693 government boats are also being operated across affected areas to facilitate movement and evacuation to safer locations.

According to officials, the Ganga is flowing above the danger mark at Digha and Gandhi Ghat in Patna Sadar, Hathidah in Mokama, as well as at Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger. The Gandak is above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Gopalganj’s Sidhwalia and at Hajipur in Vaishali.

The Kosi has crossed the danger mark at Baltara in Khagaria’s Gogri and Kursela in Katihar. The Budhi Gandak is above the mark at Khagaria, while the Punpun is above it at Sripalpur in Patna and so is the Ghaghra at Darauli in Siwan.

On Friday, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary conducted an aerial survey of the flood situation. At a high-level meeting with officials, he further reviewed the flood situation, embankments and relief measures, directing officials to ensure timely delivery of relief and essential services to affected people.

District magistrates and superintendents of police in all affected districts were asked to remain in their jurisdictions, prepare lists of affected people, and provide immediate relief. Officials were also directed to ensure uninterrupted food and other supplies through flood relief camps and community kitchens, maintain continuous surveillance of vulnerable and low-lying areas, and have the Water Resources department continuously monitor embankments from Buxar to Bhagalpur.

Community kitchens have been set up in Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali and other districts. Officials said light to moderate rainfall is forecast in the coming days. Meanwhile, earlier this week, the state’s Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources department advised people against consuming unidentified or unusual- appearing fish reaching Bihar along with the floodwaters from Nepal.

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.

Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.

Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact.

Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues.

Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms.

... Read More