Bihar floods affect nearly 5 million as relief efforts intensify

Severe flooding in India’s eastern state of Bihar has affected almost five million people with authorities stepping up relief operations in areas hit hardest by rising water levels.

PATNA: Severe flooding in India’s eastern state of Bihar has affected almost five million people with authorities stepping up relief operations in areas hit hardest by rising water levels.

The flooding began earlier this month after heavy rainfall pushing all seven major rivers in Bihar above their danger marks according to the state’s water resources authorities. Large areas of agricultural land have also been submerged raising concerns for farmers and rural communities.

Local media reports have linked the floods to at least 20 deaths although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the administration was continuing to provide essential supplies, including food drinking water and medicines to families affected by the disaster.

The state government has also provided financial assistance to flood victims. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said more than 827,000 affected families had received payments of 7,000 Indian rupees each to help them cope with the immediate impact of the flooding.

Officials have established relief facilities across affected districts. The government said 13 relief camps, more than 1,000 community kitchens and nearly 1,800 boats were being used to support communities cut off by floodwater.

The federal government has also intervened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi directing a central team to assess the damage and determine the additional assistance required.

For many residents, however, relief efforts have yet to ease the daily struggle. People in flooded communities have reported shortages of food and clean drinking water while many families have been forced to leave their homes or move to rooftops for safety.

Residents also face a loss of income as flooding prevents agricultural and daily-wage workers from reaching their jobs.

Bihar is particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its geography and its location downstream from Nepal. The neighboring country experienced severe flooding last month adding to concerns about water levels in the region.

The latest disaster has once again highlighted the recurring flood threat faced by Bihar. Residents in vulnerable districts say annual flooding repeatedly damages homes, farmland and livelihoods leaving poor families with limited resources to recover.

Authorities say their immediate focus is on reaching affected households with emergency assistance while planning reconstruction and recovery measures for areas damaged by the floods.