The flood situation near the Gandak River in Bihar has escalated dramatically as of September 30, 2024, with significant breaches in embankments exacerbating the crisis. Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal has led to record water discharges from several barrages, inundating vast areas and displacing thousands of residents.
Main Points
Current Situation Overview
As of late September 30, the flood crisis has intensified, particularly affecting districts along the Gandak and Kosi rivers. The Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD) reported that over 16 lakh (1.6 million) people have been affected by the floods, with significant damage to infrastructure and agricultural land. The embankments of both the Gandak and Kosi rivers have suffered multiple breaches, leading to widespread flooding in rural areas, including Sitamarhi and West Champaran districts.
Record Water Discharges
On September 28, authorities released unprecedented volumes of water from the Birpur Barrage on the Kosi River, amounting to 661,000 cusecs, marking the highest discharge since 1968. Similarly, the Valmikinagar Barrage on the Gandak River released 562,000 cusecs, a record since 2003. These actions were necessitated by rising water levels caused by relentless rainfall.
Impact on Communities
The flooding has devastated local communities. Reports indicate that thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, particularly those made from thatch and bamboo. Residents in affected areas have been forced to evacuate to higher ground as floodwaters continue to rise. In Madhkaul village alone, nearly 2,000 families have sought refuge on elevated land masses due to the breach of the Bagmati River’s embankment.
Local farmer communities are particularly vulnerable as standing crops are submerged under floodwaters. The agricultural impact is expected to be severe, with paddy and maize crops at risk across several districts.
Government Response
In response to the escalating situation, Bihar’s government has mobilized multiple teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Currently, 12 NDRF teams and 22 SDRF teams are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations across affected districts. Additional teams are being deployed from neighboring states as conditions worsen.
Officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) are on high alert, conducting round-the-clock monitoring of embankments and coordinating repair efforts where breaches have occurred. Despite these efforts, officials acknowledge that further breaches may occur if rainfall continues or if water levels do not stabilize.
Community Preparedness
Local authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and prepared for potential evacuations. District magistrates have issued advisories for communities living along riverbanks to relocate to safer locations until conditions improve. However, officials have reassured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to manage the situation effectively.
Future Outlook
The India Meteorological Department has indicated that monsoon conditions will remain active over the next few days, raising concerns about additional rainfall in already saturated areas. This could lead to further complications in managing floodwaters and could exacerbate existing challenges faced by emergency response teams.
