Bihar Floods Affect Over 43 Lakh Across 14 Districts
Bihar faces a severe flood crisis affecting over 43 lakh people in 14 districts due to heavy rainfall. Relief efforts intensify as rivers overflow above danger marks.
YT News
0 comments
Over 43 lakh residents have faced devastating impacts from flooding across 14 districts in Bihar following incessant rainfall and overflowing rivers, officials informed on Thursday. The situation remains critical as authorities work to aid the affected population.
Officials from the Disaster Management Department (DMD) reported that approximately 43.64 lakh individuals in 527 gram panchayats spanning 85 blocks have fallen victim to the floods. Flooding primarily affects districts like Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Buxar.
As of this month, Bihar has recorded a considerable 83.6 mm of rainfall, which is 24% above the normal average. This surge in rainfall, coupled with heavy downpours in Nepal’s upstream regions, has resulted in the overflow of several major rivers.
The DMD’s latest bulletin noted alarming levels, with the Ganga River at Sultanganj hitting 36.72 meters early Thursday, exceeding the danger mark by 2.22 meters. Stabilization in river flow offered little solace as the Gandak, Kosi, and Budhi Gandak rivers similarly flowed above danger levels.
In response to the crisis, authorities have established 951 community kitchens to support flood-stricken families. There are also 15 relief camps operating in the state, offering shelter, food, and medical services to approximately 11,255 people.
Efforts include distributing around 2.57 lakh polythene sheets and 40,600 packets of dry rations. Additionally, 1,932 boats have been deployed for evacuation and logistical support, while authorities have also distributed 6,692 quintals of cattle fodder to assist affected livestock.
On the operational front, the Gandak Barrage reported a discharge of 77,600 cusecs at 6 AM Thursday, while Kosi Barrage recorded 1,40,240 cusecs, indicating ongoing challenges in handling water management. Indrapuri Barrage on the Sone river registered a discharge of 72,095 cusecs.
In terms of rescue and relief, the government has deployed 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 10 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams across various locales to ensure timely assistance.
The weather department has projected light to moderate rain in some regions, while heavy rain is expected to continue in several parts of Bihar over the following two days, complicating recovery efforts.
