 "Bihar floods strand 45 lakh in two phases of deluge, victims blockade highways")
The flood situation in Bihar remained dire on Friday, despite a decrease in water levels in several rivers. However, discontent among the affected population grew, culminating in a road blockade in Muzaffarpur district. Protesters expressed frustration over what they perceived as insufficient relief efforts
According to the Disaster Management Department (DMD), more than 45 lakh people in 30 out of the total 38 districts of the state have been affected by the calamity in two phases since last month.
Bihar is recognised as India’s most flood-prone state, with approximately 76% of the population in North Bihar living under the persistent threat of severe flooding. The state’s geographical location, with eight major rivers flowing through it, contributes to its vulnerability to flooding. The Kosi, Gandak, and Ghaghra rivers, originating in Nepal, are among the primary causes of flooding in North Bihar.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar started the process of transferring financial assistance of Rs 7,000 to the bank account of each flood-hit family. He also inspected areas affected by the deluge in Darbhanga and surrounding areas.
In a bulletin, the water resources department (WRD) said, “The water level of most of the rivers including Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Gandak, Ganga and Kamla Balan, has come down but is still flowing above the danger mark at various places.” The WRD is on alert and flood protection works are being carried out as required at vulnerable sites, it said.
However, a section of the flood-affected people in Aurai area in Muzaffarpur district were not satisfied with the measures taken.
They pelted security personnel with stones, blocked the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi national highway for hours and burnt tyres on the road.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Police reached the spot and cleared the highway blocked by the villagers. Police used mild force in dispersing the protestors,” Muzaffarpur Rural SP Vidya Saga told reporters.
The SP denied reports in a section of the media that police fired in the air to disperse the protestors.
“When the police reached the venue to clear the national highway-77, protestors started throwing stones at them. However, no one suffered injuries,” said a local police official on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the DMD statement said the state has been hit by flash floods twice since last month affecting more than 45 lakh people.
In the first phase which took place in the third week of September, 28.34 lakh people were affected by the flood caused by the rise in the water level in Ganga.
“In the second phase, a total of 16.68 lakh people were affected by the flood caused by the heavy discharge of water in the Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Mahananda, Kamla Balan and several other rivers in Nepal,” the statement said.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said the state government has so far transferred a total of Rs 307 crore to the accounts of families hit by the first phase of the flood.
“Similarly, financial assistance will be transferred to other flood-affected families before October 9, 2024,” it said.
The CM visited a relief camp at Biraul in Darbhanga and took stock of the flood situation in the region.
Kumar directed the district magistrate of flood-hit areas to ensure that all flood victims get immediate relief, said the statement.
“The CM distributed cheques among people in Biraul and also inspected the flood relief food packaging centre in Darbhanga district. He also inspected Kiratpur in the Kusheshwar Asthan block and also visited community kitchens where people are being provided with cooked food,” it said.
The chief minister also praised the quality of cooked food being offered to the people.
Kumar directed officials to provide the best possible medical facilities to the affected people. He also handed over a cheque of Rs 10,000 to a woman who gave birth to a baby in a relief camp, the statement said.
WRD minister Ashok Choudhary and senior officials accompanied the CM.
Later, Choudhary visited flood-affected areas in Sughrain and Ujwa Simri Tokwa panchayats.
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