Bihar floods affect 400,000 people as Gandak River overflows

Severe flooding caused by the Gandak River and breached embankments has impacted approximately 400,000 people across six districts in Bihar, India. In the Saran district, the receding floodwaters have revealed a grim scene, with authorities recovering 10 bodies from the Meker, Parsa, and Panapur areas. This brings the total death toll from drowning to 16, while more than 20 people remain missing.

Approximately 255 villages are affected, forcing roughly 44,000 residents to evacuate to safer locations. Due to submerged roads preventing ground transport, the Indian Air Force has been deployed to assist in relief efforts. To date, 15 helicopter sorties have been conducted, air-dropping over 5,600 dry ration packets containing more than 28 tons of food supplies to stranded families.