In Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, severe flooding caused by a rapid rise in the water levels of the Bagmati River has inundated thousands of homes across 18 panchayats. According to reports from news agency ANI, floodwaters have breached the Pipa bridge, cutting off contact for lakhs of people with block and district headquarters, hindering access to essential aid.
The flooding has particularly impacted Barri and Basghatta panchayats, where over a hundred houses have been flooded. Along the banks of the west Bagmati River, significant land erosion has been observed from Gangia to Bakuchi Chowk.
Schools in the region have not been spared, with floodwaters entering several institutions, disrupting educational activities for hundreds of children. A school staff member shared with ANI the challenges faced, stating that despite their efforts to maintain schedules, floodwaters rising knee-high forced them to suspend classes upon notifying authorities.
Local villagers expressed their distress, highlighting the dire conditions caused by the floods. One villager lamented the lack of administrative assistance despite recurring annual floods, recounting the hardships of living amidst inundated homes and the constant fear of wildlife encroachment.
Madhumita Kumari, Katra circle officer, informed that upon receiving alerts of rising river levels, the district administration swiftly mobilized resources. They conducted assessments across three panchayats and deployed five boats for rescue operations. Officials from the water department are compiling a list of affected individuals, while measures are being discussed to reinforce riverbanks to mitigate erosion risks.
