Patna, September 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in West Champaran and Saran districts and reviewed the prevailing situation, relief operations and rescue measures.
The Chief Minister surveyed flood-affected areas in Bagaha, Bathna in Bairia block, Machhargawan in Jogapatti block and Shivrajpur, Bankatwa and adjoining areas of Nautan block in West Champaran. He also conducted an aerial survey of a damaged embankment in the Haidarpur panchayat area under Maker block of Saran district.
Following the aerial survey, Choudhary inspected a flood relief camp being operated at the PM SHRI Government Plus-2 High School campus in Bathna, Bairia block. He reviewed arrangements for the community kitchen, medical camp, drinking water, toilets, cattle relief camp, cattle sheds and accommodation for women and men.
The Chief Minister personally served food to people at the community kitchen and interacted with flood-affected residents staying at the relief camp. He listened to their problems and requirements and directed officials to ensure their prompt resolution.
He also inspected a temporary Anganwadi child-care centre operating at the relief camp and interacted with children to learn about their education and the facilities available to them. At the medical camp, he reviewed the availability of medicines and treatment facilities.
During his interaction with flood victims, Choudhary assured them that all necessary assistance would be provided. He urged affected families to inform public representatives and officials about their problems and requirements so that immediate relief could be arranged.
Later, the Chief Minister chaired a review meeting at the district-level control room at PM SHRI Government Plus-2 High School, Bathna, to assess flood relief and rescue operations.
West Champaran District Magistrate Taranjot Singh briefed the Chief Minister about the flood situation through maps, including the condition of affected areas and embankments, relief and medical camps, distribution of relief materials, and rescue and relief operations. He also apprised the Chief Minister about the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh informed the meeting about river water levels and the condition of embankments. He said Nepal had contributed the highest inflow of water so far this year. The highest flood levels were recorded at Bagaha, Rewa Ghat, Lalganj and Gopalganj. The water level of the Ganga was still above the danger mark but had started gradually declining.
He said the water level near Dumariya Bridge had stabilised and the pressure of the water was decreasing.
During the review, Choudhary said the severe flood situation had resulted from the inflow of water from Nepal's Terai region. He said surveys of the Kosi and Mahananda rivers were being conducted to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the flood problem and work towards a permanent solution.
The Chief Minister said relief and rescue operations were being carried out at all levels to restore normalcy in the flood-affected areas. He said water was expected to recede over the next two to three days.
Choudhary directed officials to ensure that community kitchens operate regularly in adequate numbers, keeping the affected population in mind. He also directed officials to identify flood-affected families and ensure that the process of providing ex-gratia assistance of Rs 7,000 per family before Dussehra was completed.
The state government had already transferred Rs 7,000 in ex-gratia assistance to several flood-affected families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) a few days earlier.
The Chief Minister directed officials to open sluice gates wherever necessary to facilitate water drainage, maintain continuous monitoring of river levels, embankments and erosion, and ensure adequate availability of boats. He also instructed authorities to ensure sufficient supplies of dry rations and other relief materials for affected people, along with adequate fodder and shelter for cattle.
Choudhary said all essential facilities should be provided to flood-affected people immediately in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Damage caused by the floods would also be assessed and repaired.
He directed that community kitchens should continue operating wherever required until people return to their homes and the situation becomes completely normal. He also ordered that relief and rescue operations should continue uninterrupted with adequate deployment of NDRF and SDRF personnel.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, MP Dr Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, MP Sunil Kumar, MLAs Sanjay Kumar Pandey and Vinay Bihari, former MLA Umakant Singh, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Director General of Police Preeti Sharma, Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, Chief Minister's Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Police Deputy Inspector General of Champaran Range Harkishor Rai, West Champaran District Magistrate Taranjot Singh, Superintendent of Police Kumar Gautam, other public representatives, senior officials and local residents.
