Bihar Flood 2025: Bagmati River Wreaks Havoc, Villagers Forced to Commute by Boats

The flood situation in Bihar has worsened with the Bagmati River crossing dangerous levels in several districts. In Muzaffarpur, the rising waters have displaced dozens of villages, forcing residents to rely on boats for daily movement. With the water level increasing rapidly, concerns are growing about further devastation. Families have begun migrating to safer places with their cattle, while others continue to keep vigil throughout the night.

Bagmati River Crosses Red Mark in Muzaffarpur

Heavy rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas has caused the Bagmati River to swell dangerously. At Katuwza in Muzaffarpur, the river is flowing 30 centimeters above the red mark. Local residents report that if the water continues to rise, low-lying areas will soon be submerged.

The southern embankment of the Bagmati is under heavy pressure as the water level in the tributary rises sharply. On the northern side, the water is also increasing gradually. Interestingly, while tributaries are rising, parts of the main Bagmati channel remain dry, creating a complex flood pattern that has alarmed locals and authorities.

Villagers Displaced, Boats Become Lifeline

Nearly a dozen villages have been severely affected by the floodwaters. Displaced residents are now dependent on boats for travel and essential supplies. The difficulties of these villagers show no sign of ending.

With tributary water rising at alarming speed, villagers fear the situation will worsen in the coming days. Some families have started moving towards elevated areas with their livestock. For those unable to move, the only option is to stay awake through the night, monitoring the rising waters and protecting their homes and animals.

Flood Situation Worsens in Katra

In Katra’s Bakuchee area, the rising water of the Bagmati River has created severe disruption. The river rose by nearly two to two-and-a-half feet within hours. Floodwaters entered the approach road of the pontoon bridge over the Bagmati, cutting off traffic. For nearly two hours, transportation came to a halt, leading to long lines of vehicles on both sides of the bridge.

Although repairs allowed the bridge to reopen later in the evening, movement of four-wheelers remains suspended. Only smaller vehicles and pedestrians are able to cross, leaving many villagers stranded and disconnected from key services.

Northern Panchayats Cut Off

The rising floodwaters have hit the northern blocks of the district the hardest. Fourteen panchayats including Yajuar Madhya, Lakhanpur, Yajuar Purvi, Kataiya, Yajuar Paschim, Nagwara, Pehsoul, Khungura, Basghatta, Changel, Bandhpura, Belpakauna, Barri, and Tehawara have lost contact with the block headquarters.

Lakhs of residents in these panchayats are now struggling to connect with the administration for emergency needs. The rapid spread of water across fields and low-lying areas has worsened the crisis, increasing the risk of food shortages, livestock losses, and health hazards.

Administration Monitors Flood Situation

Circle Officer Madhumita Kumari has assured that the situation is being closely monitored. She stated that water levels are under control for now, but officials are keeping watch on the embankments and affected areas. Emergency measures are being prepared in case the water spreads further overnight.

Relief and rescue teams are on standby. However, given the rapid increase in water levels, villagers remain anxious about whether the embankments can withstand further pressure.

Life Disrupted Across Villages

For villagers in Muzaffarpur, daily life has come to a halt. Schools are closed, markets are submerged, and medical access has been cut off. Children and elderly residents face the most difficulty as boats remain the only means of transportation.

Cattle, which form the backbone of rural livelihoods, are being moved to safer grounds. Farmers fear heavy losses as water spreads into fields, destroying crops. Many worry that the damage will cripple agricultural income for the upcoming season.

Fear of Flood Expansion

Residents living near the southern embankment report that the tributary water is rising faster than expected. If the situation persists, the floodwaters may breach embankments and expand into more villages. Local families are already preparing for evacuation by storing dry food, drinking water, and essential medicines.

Some villagers have begun shifting temporary shelters to highlands. However, not all families have the means to move, leaving many trapped in partially submerged villages.

Transportation Crisis

The flood has also disrupted transportation across Muzaffarpur and nearby regions. With bridges blocked and roads submerged, reaching the district headquarters has become nearly impossible for many. Long queues of vehicles on damaged approach roads add to the frustration of locals.

For many panchayats, medical emergencies and supplies are now delayed. Pregnant women, children, and elderly residents are among those most vulnerable to the delays caused by transportation breakdowns.

Health Concerns Rising

With floodwaters spreading across open fields, concerns of waterborne diseases are rising. Stagnant water increases the risk of infections such as diarrhea, cholera, and skin ailments. Villagers, already short of clean drinking water, now fear an outbreak of disease.

Local health workers have been alerted, but reaching isolated villages remains a challenge. Relief agencies warn that if the water continues to rise, large-scale health interventions may be required.

Past Flood Memories Haunt Villagers

For many residents, this flood is a painful reminder of previous years when the Bagmati River caused widespread destruction. Villagers recall losing homes, crops, and cattle during earlier floods. The memory of displacement continues to haunt families, many of whom never fully recovered from past losses.

With water now entering their fields and threatening homes again, villagers fear history may repeat itself.

The Struggle for Relief

Despite assurances from authorities, relief distribution has been slow. Displaced families demand food packets, tarpaulins, and safe drinking water. Many have accused local officials of being unprepared despite repeated warnings about heavy rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas.

NGOs and community volunteers have stepped in to provide some support, but the scale of displacement is overwhelming. Lakhs of people across Muzaffarpur and nearby districts now depend on quick relief action.

Agricultural Losses Loom

The Bagmati flood has already begun damaging standing crops across the floodplain. Paddy fields, vegetables, and maize plantations are under water in several villages. For farmers, this disaster means another year of debt and hardship.

With agricultural losses mounting, food security in the region may also be threatened. Villagers fear that compensation will not cover the actual extent of damages.

The Bihar Flood 2025 has once again exposed the vulnerability of Muzaffarpur and surrounding districts to the Bagmati River. With villages submerged, families displaced, and crops destroyed, the crisis is deepening by the hour.

Displaced villagers depending on boats for survival highlight the severity of the situation. As bridges remain blocked and panchayats cut off, millions of people face uncertain days ahead.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but villagers demand quicker relief and long-term flood management. Until then, the people of Muzaffarpur remain on alert, fighting a battle against rising waters and uncertain futures.