More than 4.3 million people have been affected by severe flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, according to state authorities.

The floods have caused a widespread humanitarian crisis, inundating large areas, disrupting transportation, damaging homes and farmland, and forcing thousands of residents to move to safer locations.

In a statement, the Bihar State Disaster Management Department said approximately 4.3 million people have been affected across 14 districts.

Among the worst-hit districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Buxar, where overflowing rivers have submerged villages and cut off road links. Authorities said water levels in major rivers, including the Ganga, Kosi and Gandak, remain above the danger mark, raising concerns over further flooding if heavy rainfall continues.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to several flood-hit districts to carry out rescue and evacuation operations.

Relief efforts are also underway, with hundreds of community kitchens providing food to displaced residents while temporary relief camps continue to shelter thousands of people affected by the floods.

India experiences heavy rainfall during the annual monsoon season from June to September, with floods and landslides causing widespread destruction and loss of life in many parts of the country each year. (ILKHA)