The water level of the Gandak River has begun receding rapidly after reaching unprecedented highs in Bihar, even as the state government on Sunday suspended seven engineers and initiated departmental proceedings against another senior official over alleged negligence in responding to the floods.
At Rewaghat in Saran district, the Gandak has fallen 177 cm from its record high and is now flowing 50 cm below the danger mark, according to the Water Resources Department (WRD). At Lalganj in Vaishali, the river has declined by 130 cm but remains 52 cm above the danger mark, with officials expecting it to fall below the threshold within the next 24 hours.
Pressure on embankments eases
The WRD said there was currently no significant pressure on the embankments and that seepage and piping problems detected during the flood had been addressed. Materials have also been stockpiled at breach sites and other vulnerable stretches to enable rapid intervention if water levels or embankment conditions deteriorate again.
The Gandak had risen to unprecedented levels following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal and Uttar Pradesh. Record water levels were reported at Devghat in Nepal and at Bagaha, Dumariaghat, Rewaghat and Lalganj in Bihar, placing considerable pressure on embankments and triggering flooding across several districts.
Seven engineers suspended
The state government’s action against officials followed departmental inspections of the flood response, which allegedly revealed delays and laxity on the part of some engineers. According to the WRD, shortcomings included inadequate mobilisation of manpower and flood-fighting materials as well as poor coordination with local residents and elected representatives during the emergency.
Seven engineers, including two executive engineers, have been suspended with immediate effect. Departmental proceedings have separately been ordered against Muzaffarpur Chief Engineer Kumar Manoj Gupta over alleged negligence following damage to the Champaran embankment.
Those suspended include Saran Executive Engineer Santosh Kumar Prabhakar and Gopalganj Executive Engineer Md Sajid Iqbal. Saran Assistant Engineers Sunil Kumar and Vinod Kumar and Gopalganj Assistant Engineer Md Javed Ansari have also been suspended, along with Junior Engineer Chandrashekhar Kumar of Saran and Junior Engineer Vikas Kumar of Gopalganj.
The allegations against the officials are departmental findings at this stage, and proceedings will determine individual responsibility. The WRD has warned that any laxity or negligence by officials during disaster-related emergencies would invite strict action.
Nearly 10 lakh affected
The scale of the flooding has been substantial, with nearly 9.87 lakh people across 169 gram panchayats in 30 blocks affected following heavy rainfall in Nepal and adjoining areas during the last week of September.
West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur are among the six affected districts. Floodwaters have disrupted normal life across low-lying settlements, requiring large-scale evacuation, transportation and relief operations.
The flooding illustrates Bihar’s continuing vulnerability to rivers originating in Nepal, where intense rainfall can rapidly increase downstream discharge. Sudden increases in water levels can leave authorities with limited time to reinforce embankments, evacuate vulnerable settlements and move relief material into affected areas.
Relief operations continue
Authorities have distributed 1,17,847 polythene sheets and 1,19,131 dry ration packets among affected families. A total of 324 boats are being operated for evacuation and transportation in flood-hit areas, while 196 community kitchens have provided food to displaced and affected residents.
The disaster response operation includes 14 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and 28 teams of the State Disaster Response Force. The teams have been deployed across affected areas for rescue, evacuation and other emergency assistance.
Although the rapid fall in the Gandak has reduced the immediate threat in several locations, authorities are continuing to monitor embankments and vulnerable stretches. With Lalganj still above the danger mark and hundreds of thousands of people affected across six districts, relief and restoration operations are expected to continue even as river levels return towards safer limits.