North Bihar rivers in spate, flood situation grim in Madhubani

Flood situation in Bihar's Madhubani remained grim as nearly 30,000 people have been affected. Locals complained that they have not received any help from the government authorities and they are facing a lot of troubles.

Madhubani: With widespread rainfall in catchment and Terai areas of Nepal and Bihar, the water levels of various North Bihar rivers including Bagmati, Gandak, Kamla Balan, Kosi, Gagan have risen and is flowing above the danger level affecting nearly 30,000 people in Madhubani. The discharge from Valmikinagar barrage on the Gandak in the West Champaran was the highest this year after 4.50 lakh cusecs of water was released upstream from Nepal, which flowed into Bihar through all 36 gates of the barrage.

The heavy floods in the district have damaged huge hectares of crops leaving behind a trail of destruction for the victims. ETV Bharat travelled to Madhepur city in Madhubani district to get a ground report on the problems being faced by the locals.

"The entire village is flooded and all the rivers are flowing above the danger mark. We have not received any assistance from the government. Everything has been destroyed and flood water has entered into our houses and schools. Nobody from the administration has come to take a stock of the situation," said Mustafa.

Locals of the area complained that no one from the government department has come to visit the flood-affected area and help the people. Floods have wreaked havoc in Bihar when the state is already reeling under the coronavirus scare.

"All the political leaders come to visit us once a year. Nobody has come to see our condition. We are facing a lot of difficulties," said Md.Kalam

Two days, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav visited flood-affected areas in Madhepur area and distributed money among people. The leader interacted with those affected due to the flood and criticised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his government for taking no action to provide relief to people in this time of crisis.

Tejashwi Yadav said, "Parts of Bihar are flooded but CM Nitish Kumar is missing and invisible. He is not helping people or providing relief in this time of crisis. The villages have drowned completely. Kumar is missing from 125 days along with his ministers, and people here are dying."

READ: Flood situation worsens in Bihar, over 7.65 lakh people affected

He said that after interacting with people here, it has been confirmed that victims have received no relief so far. He added that people aren't even getting transported to a safe spot, and there are no arrangements for boats.

While commenting on the upcoming elections, Yadav said, "Bihar has bigger problems now... people are dying. We request the Election Commission to review their decision on the elections as the condition of Bihar is delicate. How will people vote in this condition? So many villages are submerged in water. We won't let elections happen over dead bodies."

Earlier on June 24, leaders of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar held a meeting through video-conferencing for upcoming Bihar assembly elections likely to be held in November this year.

"Bihar is drowning in floodwaters and the tears in the eyes of Nitish Kumar have dried up. People here are crying, and BJP is holding virtual rallies. He won't come here, or go to hospitals to see corona arrangements, but will reach his virtual rally," he further said.

The flood situation in Bihar worsened on Thursday with over 7.65 lakh people being affected across 10 districts, officials said. However, there was no loss of life reported so far, the disaster management department said.

The districts affected by the flooding, caused by heavy rainfall in catchment areas along the border with Nepal, are West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria and Gopalganj.

As many as 426 panchayats under 64 blocks were affected in these districts. Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are involved in rescue operations as part of which 36,448 people have been evacuated from the marooned areas so far.

Close to 14,000 people have been lodged at 28 relief camps set across the affected districts, while nearly 80,000 were being fed at 192 community kitchens.

READ: Bihar: COVID-19 hospitals scare patients, people in huge despair