Severe Floods in 15 Bihar Districts Damage Kharif Crops

15-Sep-2026 05:21 PM

Patna: Severe flooding is being witnessed across 15 districts of Bihar due to rainfall exceeding the normal average this month and rising water levels in several rivers.

This has not only directly affected approximately 4.9 million (49 lakh) people but has also submerged standing Kharif crops across hundreds of thousands of hectares. According to the local meteorological office, Bihar has received 111.7 mm of rainfall so far in September 2026, which is about 13 percent above normal levels.

Rivers in Bihar are in spate due to heavy rainfall in their catchment areas in Nepal. River waters have breached their banks and spread into surrounding areas. The districts facing severe floods include Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Buxar, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Munger, Samastipur, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia, Madhepura, and Araria. While Saharsa and Supaul used to experience severe flooding in the past, the intensity of the deluge is comparatively lower there this time.

Water levels in several rivers—including the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, and Bagmati—have risen significantly above the danger mark at various locations. Although the cultivation area for pulses and oilseeds is relatively small in Bihar during the Kharif season, the acreage for paddy, sugarcane, and maize remains substantial.