Bihar floods: 44 lakh affected across 14 districts

Around 44 lakh people have been affected by floods in 14 Bihar districts, with several rivers flowing above danger levels. Five people, including four members of a family, drowned in Bhagalpur, while relief camps, community kitchens and rescue teams remain operational

Patna: Around 44 lakh people have been affected by floods in 14 districts of Bihar, with several rivers, including the Ganga, flowing above the danger mark, officials said on Thursday.

Incessant rain in several parts of the state, coupled with heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal, has caused rivers and streams to overflow, they said.

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Five people, including four from the same family, drowned in floodwaters in Bhagalpur district on Thursday, officials said.

The incident occurred in Koili Khutaha village, which falls within the Bypass police station area of the district.

According to the Disaster Management Department (DMD), around 44 lakh people in 533 gram panchayats across 85 blocks in 14 districts — Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia and Arwal — have been affected by floods.

Among the worst-affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Buxar.

The state has recorded 90 mm of rainfall in September so far, which is 20 per cent above normal, according to the weather office.

In its latest bulletin, the DMD said the Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur was flowing at 36.68 metres at 6 pm on Thursday, 2.18 metres above the danger level.

The flow, however, remained stable.

The Gandak was flowing above the danger mark at Dumriya Ghat; the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela; the Budhi Gandak at Khagaria; the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger; the Punpun at Sripalpur; the Bagmati at Benibad; and the Ghaghra at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan.

A total of 1,046 community kitchens are being operated in various districts for flood-affected people.

Fifteen relief camps are also functioning, providing accommodation, food, medical care and other facilities to 11,255 people.

So far, around 2.59 lakh polythene sheets and approximately 41,700 dry-ration packets have been distributed among flood-affected people.

To facilitate evacuation and transportation, a total of 1,942 boats are being operated. Around 6,692 quintals of cattle feed have also been distributed.

The DMD said the Gandak Barrage recorded a discharge of 77,600 cusecs at 5 pm on Thursday, with a falling trend.

The highest discharge recorded so far this year was 2,24,000 cusecs on July 14.

The Kosi Barrage recorded 1,48,050 cusecs at 5 pm, with a stable trend. The highest discharge recorded so far this year was 2,55,425 cusecs on July 20.

The discharge at Indrapuri Barrage on the Sone river stood at 90,509 cusecs at 5 pm on Thursday, with a rising trend.

The highest discharge recorded so far this year was 5,63,654 cusecs on September 2.

For relief and rescue operations, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 10 NDRF teams have been deployed across various districts.

The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain at some places and heavy rainfall in the state over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tejashwi Yadav visited the flood-hit areas of his constituency, Raghopur, in Vaishali and met the affected people.

He accused the state government of leaving the people to fend for themselves.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s wife, Mamta Choudhary, reportedly visited flood-hit areas in Munger, the CM’s home district, and met flood victims.

She also inspected a community kitchen and reviewed relief arrangements.

Videos purportedly showing her visit went viral on social media. However, PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

No BJP leader was available for comments.