Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Aug 6: The flood situation in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Saran districts has taken a dire turn, with rising river levels breaching embankments, isolating villages, and crippling essential road links, leaving thousands stranded and livelihoods in jeopardy.

In Muzaffarpur, the Bagmati River has swelled dangerously, especially in Aurai block, where water levels surged over three feet, triggering panic among locals. On Tuesday, the Chachari bridge in Babhangama East Tola was completely washed away by the powerful currents. This bridge served as the only lifeline for multiple villages, now effectively marooned.

The situation is particularly alarming in Atrar, where a southern tributary has overtaken the Bagmati’s main channel, raising fresh flood alerts. Although Kataunjha remains just below the danger mark, officials warn that conditions could worsen swiftly.

In Benibad, the threat of embankment erosion is rising. Under the leadership of Executive Engineer Om Prakash, emergency monitoring teams have been deployed to identify and reinforce vulnerable points before a breach occurs.

Floodwaters have also swamped parts of Katra block, flooding the approach road of the Pipa bridge near Bakuchi village, halting traffic for over three hours. While movement for pedestrians and two-wheelers resumed after makeshift repairs, four-wheeler access remains barred, cutting off nearly 14 panchayats from the block headquarters.

Circle Officer Madhumita Kumari confirmed that relief and rescue teams are on alert, and the administration is preparing for possible large-scale displacement.

With road access decimated, demand for boats has soared across affected rural areas. Farmers and labourers are scrambling to secure small boats, while larger ones — costing ?40,000–?50,000 — are scarce. In many areas, villagers are pooling funds to purchase boats as a lifeline for movement and supplies.

Meanwhile, in Saran district, the situation is equally grim. The Ganga, Saryu, and Son rivers have surged above danger levels between Chhapra and Sonpur, inundating dozens of villages in the Diara region of the Sadar block. Villages like Raipur Bindgaon, Kotwapatti Rampur, Qutubpur, Sabalpur, Mahaji, Pipra Tola, East and West Baluan, and Kanshadiyar are now encircled by floodwaters.

Connectivity to the Ara-Chhapra bridge — a key regional artery — has been snapped. In Chirand, floodwaters have entered Dalit and Mahadalit settlements, while in Dumri village, multiple homes are submerged.

With access to schools, hospitals, and markets severely compromised, villagers are trudging through chest-deep waters just to reach main roads. Public anger is mounting over what residents describe as a sluggish and insufficient administrative response.

Locals are demanding immediate rescue efforts, food and medical aid, and alternative transport arrangements. Though authorities say they are monitoring the crisis, on-ground action remains limited — fueling frustration across the submerged regions.

With no signs of water receding in the immediate future, the humanitarian and logistical challenges in Bihar’s flood-hit districts are growing by the hour.