Bihar is one of India's most flood-prone states. Every year between June and September, the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, and Bagmati rivers flood vast areas of North and Central Bihar — affecting Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Saharsa, East Champaran, and even suburban Patna areas like Patliputra Colony and NMCH surroundings during extreme rainfall events.

During floods, vehicles become stranded in waterlogged streets. GPS trackers — mounted under dashboards, behind panels, or on the vehicle exterior — are exposed to extreme moisture. If your GPS tracker isn't properly waterproofed, it will fail precisely when you need it most.

This guide explains IP waterproof ratings, how Bihar's monsoon affects GPS trackers, and what you should look for before the rains arrive.

Understanding IP Waterproof Ratings for GPS Trackers

IP stands for Ingress Protection. Every electronic device should have an IP rating — two numbers that indicate protection against solid particles and water.

IP Rating	Protection Level	Bihar Suitability
IP54	Dust protected + splash resistant	⚠️ Marginal — okay for protected install
IP65	Dust tight + water jets from any angle	✅ Good — handles monsoon rain and splashing
IP66	Dust tight + powerful water jets	✅ Very Good — handles vehicle wash and heavy rain
IP67	Dust tight + immersion up to 1m for 30 min	✅ Excellent — survives temporary flooding
IP68	Dust tight + continuous submersion 1m+	✅ Best for floods — survives deep flooding
No IP Rating	Unknown — probably not protected	❌ Avoid — will fail in Bihar monsoon

Bihar-Specific Monsoon Challenges for GPS Trackers

1. Waterlogged Roads in Patna

Every year, areas of Patna city including Rajendra Nagar, Kankarbagh, Rajiv Nagar, and Danapur cantonment see waterlogging during heavy August rains. Vehicles drive through 30–60cm water depth. A GPS tracker mounted in the engine bay or under the vehicle floor is at direct risk of water exposure. IP65 minimum is required to survive this.

2. North Bihar Flood Evacuation Scenarios

In Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Sitamarhi districts, annual floods can submerge vehicles up to the dashboard level. If a vehicle is parked in a flood zone, the GPS tracker may be submerged in water. IP67+ rating is recommended for flood-prone districts of North Bihar.

3. Construction Equipment at Flood-Risk Sites

JCBs and excavators operating near riverbanks during monsoon projects (embankment repair, road restoration) face direct water exposure. The LG300 asset tracker with IP66 rating and magnetic attachment is ideal for such equipment in Bihar's flood restoration projects.

4. Two-Wheeler Exposure

Bikes and scooters have no cabin protection. The GPS tracker is always exposed to rain splash, road water, and humidity. For bikes used year-round in Patna and Bihar, IP65 is the minimum acceptable rating.

Monsoon Installation Best Practices in Bihar

Even with an IP65-rated tracker, proper installation reduces water risk:

1. Install above the lowest floor panel — Don't mount the tracker in the footwell or at floor level where water pools during flooding. Mount it under the dashboard, above the floor.
2. Seal all wire entry points — Use electrical silicone sealant around wire grommet holes to prevent water ingress along wire channels.
3. Wrap wire connections — All wire splice connectors should be wrapped in self-amalgamating tape (not ordinary electrical tape which peels in water) for monsoon season.
4. Avoid the boot/trunk on flooded routes — For vehicles that frequently navigate waterlogged roads, avoid mounting in the boot area which may accumulate water.
5. Annual pre-monsoon check — Before the June rains, verify your tracker is operational and all wire connections are sealed.

GPS Tracking During Bihar Floods — Location Updates When You Need Them Most

One of the most critical GPS use cases in Bihar is during floods:

• Vehicle stranded in flood water — Know the exact location to direct rescue teams or recovery vehicles.
• Fleet vehicles in flood zones — Monitor which of your fleet vehicles are in at-risk areas and proactively coordinate evacuation.
• Equipment at flooded construction sites — Know where your JCBs and generators are even when the site is inaccessible.
• Family vehicle during evacuation — Track a family member's vehicle location as they evacuate from flood-affected areas.

During severe Bihar floods, network connectivity may be intermittent in affected areas. The Alike GPS tracker stores all location data offline and uploads it when connectivity is restored — ensuring you don't lose tracking history even during network outages.

Pre-Monsoon GPS Tracker Checklist for Bihar Vehicle Owners

• ☐ Verify your tracker's IP rating (IP65 minimum)
• ☐ Check that all wire connections are properly insulated and sealed
• ☐ Ensure the tracker is mounted above the vehicle's flood waterline
• ☐ Confirm the Protrack app is updated to the latest version
• ☐ Set a geo-fence alert for your home/office so you're alerted if the vehicle moves during flood evacuation
• ☐ Verify your Airtel SIM subscription is active (no expiry during monsoon)
• ☐ Save the Alike GPS support number (+91-9570476549) on your phone
• ☐ Enable SMS alerts as backup in case 4G data is unavailable during floods

FAQs — Monsoon & GPS Trackers in Bihar

Will GPS continue working if my car is partially submerged in flood water?

With an IP65+ tracker properly installed above floor level, the tracker itself will function. However, if the vehicle's main battery is submerged, power to the tracker may be cut. The internal backup battery will transmit a final "power lost" alert with the last known location.

My GPS tracker got wet during monsoon and stopped working. What should I do?

Do not try to power it on immediately. Let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area for 24–48 hours. If it doesn't recover, contact us via WhatsApp (+91-9570476549) — devices under 1-year warranty may be eligible for replacement if the failure is due to a manufacturing defect.

Does Airtel's 4G network work during Bihar floods?

Airtel's towers generally remain operational during floods unless physically damaged. However, extremely heavy rainfall can cause some tower outages in specific areas. In such cases, the tracker stores data and resumes transmission when the network recovers.

Which GPS tracker is best for North Bihar's high-flood-risk areas?

For North Bihar districts with extreme flood risk (Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Supaul), we recommend the Alike GPS LG300 (IP66 rated) for assets, and the Alike GPS tracker (IP65) for vehicles with a properly sealed interior installation. Call us for district-specific recommendations.

Conclusion

Bihar's monsoon is one of the most demanding environments for GPS trackers in India. Before the rains arrive, verify your tracker's IP rating, installation quality, and subscription status. The Alike GPS tracker (IP65) and LG300 (IP66) are engineered to survive Bihar's monsoon and flood conditions. Order before June — don't wait until you're in the middle of a flood and your tracker fails.