Bihar is grappling with severe flooding following continuous heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, affecting multiple districts, including Rohtas, Sasaram, Motihari, and Gopalganj. Roads, hospitals, homes, and markets have been submerged, forcing emergency response teams to launch large-scale rescue operations. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across the worst-hit areas.
In Rohtas district’s Dehri area, floodwaters inundated Jamuhar, trapping doctors, patients, and staff at Narayan Medical College. SDRF teams successfully evacuated those stranded, some of whom had been stuck since the previous night. Dehri SDM Nilesh Kumar confirmed ongoing drainage and rescue operations, while reports suggest that water released from a nearby check dam may have contributed to the flooding. RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh visited the area to assess the situation.
Sasaram also experienced severe flooding, with water entering the Model Jail complex and submerging cells, putting both inmates and staff in distress. In Motihari, East Champaran, relentless rains turned the district into an “island,” with roads, markets, and residential areas completely waterlogged, making movement nearly impossible. Authorities issued an Orange Alert, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and wind speeds of 40–60 kmph until October 6, and schools have been closed.
Gopalganj district faced similarly dire conditions, with knee-deep floodwater inundating the Model Sadar Hospital. Emergency services were severely disrupted, with essential medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, and stretchers submerged. The new hospital building, inaugurated just days earlier on September 28, remains incomplete, preventing relocation of emergency operations. Patients, attendants, and staff struggled to operate in the hazardous conditions, and some patients left without receiving treatment.
Across affected districts, urban infrastructure gaps have been exposed, with government buildings, residential areas, and roads severely waterlogged. In Gopalganj, key locations such as Minz Stadium Road, Nagar Thana Chowk, and Purani Chowk remain submerged, and both government and private schools have been closed as a precaution.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a well-marked low-pressure area over west Jharkhand and adjoining parts of south Bihar, southeast Uttar Pradesh, and north Chhattisgarh, which is expected to move north-northeast and weaken by Saturday evening. The IMD has also issued a red warning for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in districts like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar until Monday morning. In South Bengal, heavy rainfall is expected in Murshidabad, Birbhum, and Nadia, while Bankura recorded the highest rainfall at 65.8 mm in the last 24 hours.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating relief efforts and planning community kitchens to support affected residents as rescue and flood management operations continue.
