Patna, Sep 6: The flood situation in Bihar remained serious on Sunday as rising water levels in several rivers affected nearly 16.85 lakh people (1.685 million) across 11 districts of the state, even as relief and rescue operations are being carried out continuously by the administration in the affected areas.

According to official figures, the flooding has affected 61 blocks and 300 gram panchayats across 11 districts. Authorities have intensified relief measures to provide food, shelter and other essential assistance to people impacted by the floods.

As part of the ongoing relief operations, 80 community kitchens are currently functioning in the flood-affected districts. So far, around 1.21 lakh people have been provided meals through these centres. In addition, one relief camp is operational, providing accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other essential facilities to 326 flood-affected people.

To provide immediate relief to affected residents, authorities have distributed around 45,900 polythene sheets and 11,700 dry ration packets so far. To facilitate the evacuation and movement of people in flood-hit areas, a total of 1,158 boats are currently being operated across the state.

In view of the possibility of further flooding, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in different districts to undertake rapid relief and rescue operations.

According to Water Resources Department data recorded between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Ganga remained above the danger mark at several major locations in Bihar.

At Buxar, the Ganga was recorded 0.08 metres above the danger mark, although the water level was showing a declining trend. At Dighaghat in Patna, the level was 1.54 metres above the danger mark, while at Gandhighat, it was 1.96 metres above and at Hathidah, 1.74 metres above the danger mark. The water level at Gandhighat was stable, while Hathidah recorded a rising trend.

At Munger, the Ganga was 0.51 metre above the danger mark and continued to rise. At Sultanganj, the level was 2.01 metres above the danger mark, while at Bhagalpur it was 0.65 metres above it. The river also remained above the danger mark at Kahalgaon.

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj and Varanasi, the Ganga remained below the warning level. The water level was rising in Prayagraj, while a declining trend was recorded in Varanasi.

Barrage discharge data showed that at 9 a.m. on September 6, the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri was releasing 2,27,739 cusecs of water, with the flow showing a declining trend. The Kosi Barrage at Birpur recorded a discharge of 1,68,400 cusecs, which remained stable. The Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar was releasing 1,29,000 cusecs, with the discharge also reported to be stable.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at several places across the state over the next two days. Heavy rainfall is also possible at some locations.

In view of the possibility of further rainfall and a corresponding rise in river water levels, authorities have been kept on alert to undertake relief and rescue operations. The state government and district administrations are closely monitoring the situation in flood-affected areas, with relief materials, boats and rescue teams being deployed as required.

New Delhi, Sep 6: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp remarks aimed at the Opposition, saying that India’s growth and transformation under the BJP government reflected the reality highlighted by him during his Teachers’ Day address at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC).

PM Modi, while addressing the gathering at SRCC on Saturday, took a sharp dig at the Opposition as he contrasted the challenges and crises India faced in 2013 with the country’s present position and growing strength.

Referring to his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, the Prime Minister said he had administered “homoeopathic pills” to his critics by using the term “dimagi Naxals”.

“Homoeopathic treatment only aggravates the disease for a short time. As soon as I gave this pill, all the mental Naxals started coming out. But the public is seeing their true colours,” PM Modi said.

Taking another swipe at his political opponents, the Prime Minister described two broad kinds of people in the country. According to him, one category works towards positively transforming the power of society into the power of the nation, while the other tends to become a “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle) over every issue.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said PM Modi’s address at SRCC was deeply inspiring and provided the younger generation with an opportunity to understand the realities that existed in the country before 2013-2014.

“Whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday at SRCC was a deeply inspiring address. Through it, our younger generation learned about many realities that existed in the country before 2013-2014, which the Prime Minister highlighted in his speech,” Khandelwal said.

He further said the Prime Minister had presented a comparison of India’s position before the BJP government came to power and the country’s achievements in the subsequent years.

“Whether addressing the mindset of ‘dimagi Naxals’ or presenting a comparative report card at SRCC on where India stood when he assumed office and where the nation stands today, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s journey from the ground level to great heights. This has all happened under the Modi government,” Khandelwal added.

BJP spokesperson T.R. Srinivas, speaking to media, noted that PM Modi’s address at SRCC covered several issues, including India’s approach towards terrorism, strategic deterrence and the country’s push for self-reliance.

“Prime Minister Modi yesterday addressed SRCC in New Delhi, at Delhi University. The first topic he addressed was that the spread of terror is on the back foot. He talked about strategic deterrence working on Indian terms, not on the terms of the world or superpowers. India became Atmanirbhar, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, during which the indigenous weapons were used,” Srinivas said.

He further contrasted the government’s approach towards terrorism with the situation that prevailed before it came to power, referring to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

“Before our government, as seen during the 26/11 also, no action was taken against the terrorists; we are determined to take action against the terrorists and terror infrastructure,” he added.

Meanwhile, reacting to PM Modi’s “Naraz Fufa” remark at SRCC, BJP’s Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi said that criticism and attempts to spread disappointment would not alter the country’s progress, as the results of the government’s work were visible.

“The noise of those spreading disappointment and lies may last for some time, but the facts and results speak for themselves. The country is moving forward, while lies are being left behind,” Saraogi said.

New Delhi, Sep 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Saturday lashed out at the Congress, accusing it of being “anti-Scheduled Caste” and “anti-women” after a Dalit woman MLA of the party was allegedly assaulted by Congress’ own workers in Kerala.

Posting a video of the purported incident on his official X account, Bhandari took a jibe at the grand old party, saying: “Congress smashing the patriarchy in Kerala.”

The BJP leader was referring to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ remark at his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event in Pune.

“Their own Dalit woman MLA, Remya Haridas, attacked by own Congress workers,” Pradeep Bhandari said.

Accusing the grand old party, the BJP leader also added: “Congress is ‘Anti-SC’, ‘Anti Women’!”

Earlier on Saturday, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi had also targeted Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ remark, while referring to the low number of women Ministers in states ruled by the Congress and the removal of a woman Minister (Konda Surekha) from the Telangana Cabinet.

“By shouting ‘Smash Patriarchy, Smash Patriarchy’, they (Congress) are removing women Ministers one by one. On the other hand, highest number of women Ministers in India’s history are serving in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government,” Trivedi said during a press conference.

During the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event in Pune on August 22, Rahul Gandhi had called women as the greatest strength of the nation.

“You are this country’s foundation, its future. Patriarchy crushes you, frightens you, controls you. We must work together to dismantle this patriarchy. Smash the patriarchy. My message to you, a simple message: be loud, be proud and fight for your space in society,” the Lok Sabha LoP said.

He asserted that women do not belong to anyone but themselves and urged young women to “break the cage”.

Rahul Gandhi added that while many view the economy or the military as India’s main strength, he believes the nation’s biggest asset lies in the ideas and dreams of its 70 crore women.

He emphasised that women naturally possess higher sensitivity, gentleness, and empathy.

Moreover, the Congress MP had criticised traditional frameworks like Manusmriti for confining women to rigid roles (such as solely being identified as a daughter, wife, or mother), saying: “Women do not belong to any man; you belong only to yourselves.”