Ganga Water Level Rises in Munger, Bhagalpur, and Kahalgaon; Kosi River Flows 11 cm Above Danger Mark in Kursela
Following heavy monsoon rainfall across Bihar, the water levels of major rivers have begun to surge rapidly, triggering a severe flood threat in multiple districts of the state. According to the latest data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Water Resources Department, a steady rise in the water level of the Ganga river has been recorded in Munger, Bhagalpur, and Kahalgaon. Meanwhile, the Kosi river has assumed a fierce form and breached the danger mark in Kursela (Katihar), flowing 11 centimeters above the threshold.
The swelling rivers have heightened anxieties within the Water Resources Department. A high alert has been sounded for the safety of embankments, and villagers residing in low-lying areas have been cautioned to move to safer locations.
The Ganga River Situation: Escalating Pressure from Munger to Kahalgaon
Due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Ganga river, the threat of floodwaters inundating the coastal and low-lying zones of the Bhagalpur and Munger divisions has increased substantially.
Water Level Status in Munger
In Munger, the water level of the Ganga river has been rising uninterruptedly for the last 24 hours. Due to the excess water arriving from upstream regions and rivers of North India, floodwaters have begun spreading into Munger's Babua Ghat, Kashtaharani Ghat, and adjacent low-lying territories. According to the Central Water Commission, if the current rate of rise persists, the Ganga could touch the danger mark in Munger within the next two days. Crops belonging to farmers in the Diara (river island) areas are on the verge of submergence.
Surge in Bhagalpur (Sultanganj and Silk City)
In Bhagalpur city and Ajgaibinath Dham in Sultanganj, the Ganga's water is climbing past the stairs of the ghats. Several sections of the Namami Gange Ghat in Sultanganj are entirely submerged. The backwater of the Ganga has started entering low-lying villages in the Sabour, Nathnagar, and Jagdishpur blocks of Bhagalpur city, causing extensive damage to farmers' vegetable and fodder crops.
Critical Situation in Kahalgaon
The trajectory of the Ganga river in Kahalgaon is becoming extremely aggressive, with the water level reaching precariously close to the danger mark. According to the report by the Central Water Commission, water is rising at a rate of 1 to 1.5 centimeters per hour in Kahalgaon. Waterlogging has already commenced around the coastal residential sectors and the low-lying zones near the NTPC campus.
Kosi's Havoc: 11 cm Above the Danger Mark in Kursela
The Kosi river, notoriously known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar,' has once again triggered panic among the residents of the Seemanchal and Kosi regions. Due to torrential downpours in the catchment areas of Nepal, water is being continuously discharged from the Kosi Barrage.
Breaching Danger Mark in Kursela: In Kursela (Katihar district), which marks the confluence of the Kosi and Ganga rivers, the water level of the Kosi river has surged 11 centimeters above the danger line.
Immense Pressure on Embankments: The river current is exceptionally strong around the railway bridge and National Highway (NH-31) near Kursela. With the water flowing above the danger level, protective embankments are experiencing massive pressure.
Dozens of Villages Inundated: Kosi's floodwaters have breached low-lying villages across three to four panchayats in and around Kursela. Water is flowing two to three feet deep on local roads, snapping connectivity between the villagers and the district headquarters.
Migration Commences in Diara and Low-Lying Areas
The inhabitants of the Diara (riverine plains) are bearing the brunt of this sudden deluge. Mass migration has commenced from the Diara regions of Munger, Bhagalpur, Naugachia, and Katihar.
Fodder and Livestock Crisis: As floodwaters submerge agricultural fields, an acute shortage of green fodder for livestock has emerged. Villagers are utilizing country boats to transport their cattle (cows, buffaloes) to higher ground and toward the edges of national highways for shelter.
Shortage of Boats: Residents of several affected villages have complained that despite the rapidly rising water levels, the administration has not deployed an adequate number of government boats, making evacuation to higher locations highly challenging.
Administrative Preparedness and Flood Fighting Operations
Taking note of the deteriorating situation, Bihar's Water Resources Minister and top officials of the department convened a high-level meeting. The situation is being monitored directly by the Chief Minister's Office.
24-Hour Surveillance: Teams of engineers have been ordered to camp 24/7 in Munger, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, and Kursela. 'Flood fighting' materials such as sandbags, boulders, and geo-bags have been stockpiled in sufficient quantities to arrest any sudden soil erosion or embankment breach.
NDRF and SDRF on Alert: Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been placed on alert mode in Bhagalpur and Katihar. Motorboats stand ready to rescue villagers in the event of any emergency escalation.
Control Rooms Activated: The Water Resources Department has activated Flood Control Rooms in Patna and various district headquarters to record hour-by-hour telemetry and field reports.
Comparative Status of Water Levels in Major Rivers
| District / Location | River Name | Current Status | Impact / Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munger | Ganga | Stably Rising | Water entering Diara areas, crop damage |
| Bhagalpur | Ganga | Close to Danger Mark | Ghats submerged, alert in low-lying zones |
| Kahalgaon | Ganga | Rapidly Rising | Flood threat to coastal residential pockets |
| Kursela (Katihar) | Kosi | 11 cm Above Danger Mark | Water on roads, heavy pressure on embankments |
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow/orange alert forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in North Bihar and the foothills of Nepal over the next 48 hours. If the downpour does not subside in the mountains, more water may be released from the Kosi Barrage, which could worsen the situation in Kursela drastically. Simultaneously, the persistent rise in the Ganga will amplify pressure on the urban drainage and safety systems of Munger and Bhagalpur. The administration has urged citizens to ignore rumors and avoid visiting riverbanks or deep-water zones. The government is maintaining a vigilant eye on the developments.
