As per reports, on Sunday (03 August), continuous heavy rainfall has triggered flooding risks, rising river levels, and potential disruptions across multiple districts of Bihar.
Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls across Bihar on Sunday (03 August) and Monday (04 August). The details are as follows:
• As per reports, the Kosi Barrage control room in Supaul confirmed that 26 out of 56 gates of the barrage were opened on Sunday (03 August) to manage the increasing water pressure resulting from heavy rainfall in the upstream Nepal region. The recorded water level at 1600 hours on Sunday (03 August) stood at 1,89,390 cusecs.
• Heavy rainfall in Nepal’s Barah area increased inflows into the Kosi, resulting in the water level in the main flow area rising from 1.49 lakh to 1.89 lakh cusecs by 1400 hours on Sunday (03 August).
• The local authorities have enhanced embankment surveillance, with flood control teams deployed along both riverbanks. Water Resources Department officials confirm that all spur structures remain structurally sound.
• To support irrigation needs, 6,500 cusecs and 6,200 cusecs of water are being diverted into the eastern and western Kosi canals, respectively.
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed concerned officials to remain vigilant, following reports of rivers overflowing due to heavy rainfall.
• The Water Resources Department (WRD) confirms a rising trend in the Ganga, Kosi, Sone, Bagmati, Gandak, Kamla, and Adhwara rivers, which are now flowing close to or above danger levels in several regions.
• No casualties have been reported so far, though precautionary evacuation has been carried out in low-lying areas in East Champaran, West Champaran, Bhagalpur, and Patna.
• Meanwhile, on Sunday (03 August), the IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Purnea, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Patna, Jehanabad, Arwal, and Vaishali districts of Bihar.
• A yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued in Araria, Supaul, Khagaria, Banka, and Purnea districts on Sunday (03 August). All remaining districts remain under yellow alert for thunderstorm, lightning and squall.
• However, the IMD’s nowcast bulletin issued at 1900 hours and valid until 2200 hours, forecasts moderate rainfall between 05-15 mm/hour, accompanied by thunderstorms and surface wind speeds between 41-61 km/h, with lightning probability between 30-60 percent in West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, and Purnea districts.
• A yellow alert for light rainfall is maintained across the rest of the district on Sunday (03 August).
• Moreover, for Monday (04 August), very heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in West and East Champaran districts, while Sitamarhi, Gopalganj, Siwan, Sheohar, and Khagaria districts are under yellow alert for heavy rainfall.
• The rest of the districts in Bihar are expected to experience a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls on Monday (04 August).
