• Source:JND
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Bihar Floods: The flood situation in north Bihar worsened, with over 1.46 million people affected by the rising waters. Floodwaters have inundated new areas as of October 2, leaving thousands displaced and struggling with a shortage of relief supplies. Many victims are taking shelter under makeshift plastic covers, while hundreds are stranded on rooftops, waiting for rescue teams to arrive.

The Water Resources Department (WRD) reported that the flooding has worsened due to several breaks in river embankments. Five breaches occurred on October 1, following an earlier seven on September 29. The most affected areas include the districts of Purnea, Supaul, Saharsa, Darbhanga and East and West Champaran.

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Officials attribute the flooding to the release of water from the Kosi and Gandak barrages after heavy rainfall in Nepal and northern Bihar. Although the water flow from the barrages has decreased since September 29, the threat remains from rivers such as the Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati and Mahananda, which continue to put pressure on embankments across flood-hit areas.

The Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD) reported that 1.46 million people across 429 villages in 81 blocks of 17 districts have been impacted. These include East Champaran, West Champaran, Araria, Kishanganj, Gopalganj, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saran, Saharsa, Katihar and Khagaria.

To assist in rescue and relief efforts, 16 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 17 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed. Additionally, six more NDRF teams have been summoned from Ranchi and Varanasi. Air force helicopters are also delivering dry rations to those stranded in remote areas.

So far, approximately 260,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Eighteen relief camps have been set up, providing shelter to 6,200 displaced individuals. However, over 500 villages remain submerged, forcing residents to seek refuge on higher ground, such as national and state highways.

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A central government team is expected to visit soon to assess the situation, following an aerial survey conducted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The central government has already allocated Rs 655 crore to support flood relief efforts.

In response to the crisis, the state health department is taking precautionary measures to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Civil surgeons in affected districts have been instructed to spray bleaching powder and prioritise care for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children and the elderly.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall in parts of Bihar until October 11, despite the state experiencing a 20 percent overall rainfall deficit this season. As of October 2, Bihar has recorded 798.3 millimetres of rainfall, compared to the normal 992.2 mm.