Flood Havoc in Saran: Bihar Govt Launches War-Footing Rescue With 19 NDRF-SDRF Teams
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Responding swiftly to escalating inundation across low-lying riparian belts in Saran district, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has directed state emergency authorities to execute large-scale flood relief and rescue operations on a war footing on Friday, October 2, 2026. With swollen river surges breaching rural embankments and entering fresh residential clusters, the Disaster Management Department alongside the Saran District Administration has mobilized a massive joint deployment of 19 specialized disaster response teams (12 NDRF and 7 SDRF) to evacuate marooned villagers. Backed by Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters conducting aerial food drops and an inter-district logistical corridor funneling tens of thousands of dry ration kits and shelter sheets, state agencies have mounted an aggressive round-the-clock humanitarian mission to safeguard lives and livestock.
Massive Ground Deployment: 19 NDRF and SDRF Teams Rushed to Ground Zero
To bolster the initial emergency detachments already operating in Saran, specialized rescue units have been diverted from multiple northern and eastern districts:
NDRF Force Strength: While five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were already stationed across vulnerable pockets, seven additional units were mobilized immediately—three from Bettiah, two from Gopalganj, two from Bhagalpur, and one from Supaul. This brings the total NDRF presence to 12 battalions comprising 360 highly trained rescue personnel, equipped with over 50 powerboats, 480 life jackets, 360 lifebuoys, and deep-dive sets.
SDRF Influx: Supplementing the three existing State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units, four fresh contingents arrived from Darbhanga (20 personnel, 4 boats), Madhubani (20 personnel, 6 boats), Samastipur (19 personnel, 6 boats), and East Champaran/Motihari (18 personnel, 6 boats). In total, seven SDRF teams deploying over 140 specialists and 36 boats are navigating submerged villages.
Coordinated Evacuations: The combined force of more than 500 disaster response personnel is prioritizing the elderly, pregnant women, children, and livestock, moving families onto elevated roadways, embankments, and designated state relief camps.
Air Force Helicopters and Inter-District Supply Grid: 40,000 Ration Packets Dispatched
To reach interior settlements cut off by washed-out roads and deep floodwaters, authorities have instituted a multi-modal supply line:
IAF Aerial Food Drops: Air Force helicopters have already airdropped more than 3,000 ready-to-eat dry ration packets over marooned habitations in Saran, with target sorties scaling up to drop another 5,000 packets before nightfall on Friday.
Inter-District Ration Pooling: A massive reserve of 40,000 comprehensive ration packets is being funneled directly into Saran from neighboring administrative collectorates, including 10,000 packets from Patna, 15,000 from Siwan, and 5,000 each from Bhojpur, Buxar, and Vaishali.
Essential Survival Contents: Each dry ration kit contains non-perishable food supplies, roasted gram (chana), flattened rice (chura), jaggery (gur), clean drinking water sachets, matches, and essential baby food.
Temporary Shelter Grid: 75,000 Polythene Tarpaulins Rushed for Displaced Families
With thousands of mud dwellings damaged by prolonged floodwater logging, emergency shelter provision has taken top administrative focus:
Polythene Sheet Distribution: A dedicated consignment of 75,000 heavy-duty waterproof polythene tarpaulins has been redirected to Saran to help displaced families construct makeshift rain-proof canopies along canal banks and high roads.
Contributing Districts: The shelter consignments include 25,000 sheets from Darbhanga, 20,000 from Madhubani, and 15,000 each from Sitamarhi and Samastipur.
Sanitation and Medical Vigilance: Mobile medical units equipped with anti-venom vials, chlorine purification tablets, and halogen water disinfectants are patrolling relief camps to prevent seasonal waterborne infection outbreaks.
Round-the-Clock Command Center: Helpline 1070 Active for Real-Time Distress Calls
The Saran District Magistrate and senior disaster management secretaries are monitoring water levels, boat dispatches, and supply pipelines through a centralized control room:
Continuous Drone and Field Surveillance: Field nodal officers are tracking river discharge levels at vital barrage points to anticipate further backflow into adjoining panchayats.
State Emergency Helpline: Citizens caught in distress or needing immediate boat evacuation and emergency rations can directly contact the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) toll-free helpline number at 1070.
Government Commitment: Reaffirming the state’s absolute commitment, administrative leadership highlighted that emergency funds and logistics remain unrestricted, ensuring every displaced family receives immediate financial assistance, food security, and rehabilitation support.
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