Directs Speedy Relief Operations and Strict Monitoring of Embankments
Focus on 24-Hour Community Kitchens, Medical Teams, Boats and Other Relief Measures in Flood-Affected Areas
Patna, September 2026 : Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inspected the Raghopur embankment in Navgachhia, Bhagalpur, and later participated in a review meeting on flood preparedness and relief and rescue operations for the 2026 floods in Begusarai, Munger and Khagaria districts. The meeting was held at the Dinkar Guest House on the premises of the IOC Limited complex in Begusarai.
District Magistrates of all three districts made presentations before the Chief Minister, providing detailed information about the current flood situation, administrative preparedness and relief operations.
24-Hour Community Kitchens and Medical Facilities
The Chief Minister directed officials to increase the number of community kitchens in flood-affected areas according to requirements and ensure that they remain operational round the clock. The district administration was also instructed to interact with public representatives every day through meetings or video conferences to obtain regular feedback on the flood situation and local problems.
Choudhary directed that mobile medical teams be deployed in flood-affected areas and adequate boat ambulances be arranged in diara regions. He also called for medical camps to be organised wherever necessary to examine and treat people affected by the floods.
He instructed officials to ensure that flood-affected farmers receive the benefits of crop insurance schemes and that no eligible farmer is deprived of assistance. In coordination with the Disaster Management Department, large boats being used for bridge construction should be utilised wherever necessary to transport people to safe locations and deliver relief material to affected communities.
The Chief Minister directed the administration to provide every possible assistance and relief to people in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), while maintaining robust security arrangements in flood-affected areas.
Continuous Monitoring of Rivers and Embankments
Choudhary ordered continuous monitoring of river water levels and immediate commencement of relief and rescue operations wherever required, depending on the situation.
He also directed officials to pay special attention to the average depth of hand pumps installed around community kitchens and relief camps so that flood-affected people have access to clean drinking water.
The Chief Minister stressed that all protective embankments and major earthen embankments must be kept in sound condition and that embankments and sluice gates should be continuously monitored. He directed officials to keep boats, life jackets, motorboats, relief and rescue teams, polythene sheets, erosion-control materials and other essential resources ready for emergency situations.
Preparedness for Agricultural Areas
During the review meeting, arrangements for relief camps and community kitchens in affected areas, packaging and distribution of dry ration packets and food packets were also reviewed.
Keeping the flood-affected agricultural areas in mind, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare contingency crop plans, ensure adequate availability of alternative crops and seeds, and provide necessary assistance to affected farmers.
He also directed that the list of flood-affected families be continuously updated on the Disaster Compensation Portal so that relief and assistance can reach eligible families on time.
Inspection of Flood-Affected Kailashpur
Before attending the review meeting, the Chief Minister inspected flood-affected Kailashpur under Begusarai Sadar subdivision. He took stock of the flood situation and relief and rescue operations on the ground and issued necessary directions to officials.
During an interaction with journalists, the Chief Minister said water levels in the Ganga had continued to rise at several locations. Around 20 lakh cusecs of water was being discharged into the Ganga, while about 5 lakh cusecs each had been released into the Son River.
He said the administration was fully alert in view of the situation and every possible facility was being provided to the people. Work had also begun towards finding permanent solutions to problems caused by floods.
He said that, just as steps had been taken to reduce flood-related damage from the Kosi and Gandak rivers, necessary measures would also be undertaken to minimise losses caused by the Ganga. The Ganga embankments would be strengthened and systematically maintained.
Choudhary said that Ganga water was spreading over stretches of nearly 20 kilometres at several places and that the spread would be restricted through construction of ring embankments and new drainage stretches wherever necessary. Necessary action would also be taken to address problems related to silt accumulation in the Ganga.
Permanent Measures for Flood Control
The Chief Minister said that the government was working towards permanent solutions to recurring flood-related problems. He said that all major river embankments would be repaired and restored, including the embankments along the Ganga. Drainage channels would also be developed along the Ganga, while ring embankments would be constructed wherever required. Silt would be removed as necessary.
He reiterated that the administration was fully alert regarding the flood situation and that relief and rescue operations were being carried out with complete preparedness. The government was committed to providing every possible assistance to people in flood-affected areas.
Choudhary directed officials to continuously monitor embankments and immediately undertake necessary protective and repair works wherever erosion or damage was detected, so that people do not face any inconvenience or danger.
Officials and Public Representatives Present
The meeting was attended by Union Minister Giriraj Singh; Bihar Cooperative Minister and Begusarai district in-charge minister Ram Kripal Yadav; Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra; MLAs Rajneesh Kumar, Narendra Kumar Singh and Kundan Kumar; Begusarai Municipal Corporation Mayor Pindi Devi; Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit; Secretary, Water Resources Department, Dr Chandrashekhar Singh; Chief Minister's Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh; Deputy Inspector General of Police, Munger Range, Rakesh Kumar; Begusarai District Magistrate Rishi Pandey; Munger District Magistrate Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar; Khagaria District Magistrate Vikram Virkar; Begusarai Superintendent of Police Manish; Munger Superintendent of Police Syed Imran Masood; and other senior officials and public representatives.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the Raghopur embankment in Navgachhia, Bhagalpur, and reviewed erosion-control works being undertaken there. He sought detailed information from officials about the erosion that had occurred along the embankment and the measures being taken to prevent further damage.
During his interaction with local residents, Choudhary also gathered information about the condition of the embankment and the situation arising from erosion. He said the district administration and Water Resources Department had done commendable work to prevent further damage and provide relief to local residents.
He said substantial quantities of water had entered the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak and Son rivers and that all major river embankments would be restored. The Ganga embankment would also be repaired and dredging would be undertaken in the river. Ring embankments would be constructed wherever required, and silt would be cleared.
The Chief Minister again directed officials to maintain continuous surveillance of embankments and immediately undertake protective and repair measures wherever erosion or damage occurs.
During the inspection, Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra, Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, MP Ajay Kumar Mandal, other public representatives, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Chief Minister's Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Bhagalpur Divisional Commissioner Prem Singh Meena, Water Resources Department Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Bhagalpur District Magistrate Anarkali, Senior Superintendent of Police Pramod Kumar and other senior officials and engineers of the Water Resources Department were present.
