Bihar is again flooded like every year in North Bihar.

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• It has affected 11.84  lakh people overall who are forced to leave their homes.
• Affected Areas
• • Flooded Districts: Over 9.9 lakh people from 16 districts in northern Bihar have been severely impacted, including West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, and others.
  • Specific Incidents: Floodwaters have entered villages in Darbhanga after the Kosi river breached its embankment.

Status of Flood in Bihar

• Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India. 
• Approximately 76% of North Bihar’s population lives under the constant threat of severe floods.
• The state accounts for 16.5% of India’s total flood-affected area and 22.1% of its flood-affected population.

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Causes of Flooding in Bihar

• Geographical Factors
  • Location: Bihar is located downstream from Nepal, where major rivers like the Kosi and Gandak flow. 
    • These rivers carry a lot of sediment because of the young Himalayan mountains.
  • Siltation: Sediment builds up in the riverbeds, causing them to rise. When heavy rain occurs, this can lead to rivers overflowing.
  • River Networks: Bihar has many rivers that are fed by snow and rain, making it more vulnerable to different types of flooding.
    • North Bihar is at risk of flood from five primary rivers during the monsoon season:
      • Mahananda
      • Koshi
      • Bagmati
      • Burhi Gandak
      • Gandak
  • Low-Lying Terrain: Bihar’s flat land makes it especially prone to waterlogging, particularly during heavy rains.
• Permanent Waterlogging
  • Silted Rivers: The accumulation of silt in rivers makes it harder for water to drain away, contributing to waterlogging.
  • Encroachment on Drainage Channels: Building on or blocking drainage channels restricts the natural flow of water, worsening flooding.
  • Changes in River Courses: When rivers change their paths, they can create saucer-shaped depressions called Chaurs, which can hold water and lead to permanent waterlogging.

Categorisation of Floods 

• The Bihar Disaster Management Authority classifies floods into four categories:
  • Flash Floods: Quick onset (8-hour lead time), fast receding.
  • River Floods: 24-hour lead time, recedes over a week.
  • Drainage Congestion: Lasts the entire monsoon season, takes 3 months to recede.
  • Permanent Waterlogging: Long-term inundation due to silted rivers and drainage issues.

Impact of Floods

• Loss of Life and Property: Floods can result in loss of lives, displacement of people, and damage to infrastructure.
• Economic Impact: Floods can cause significant damage to crops, livestock, and livelihoods.
• Distress Migration: People may be forced to migrate to other regions due to the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

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Recommendations

• Integrated Flood Management: Implementing comprehensive flood management strategies that address both structural and non-structural aspects.
  • Structure solutions include systems such as  embankments, dams, etc.
  • Non structural solutions comprises policy, laws, risk mitigation strategies, etc. 
• Infrastructure Improvement: Strengthening embankments and other infrastructure to enhance resilience against floods.
• Early Warning Systems: Developing and improving early warning systems to provide timely alerts.
• Community-Based Disaster Management: Empowering local communities to participate in flood preparedness and response.
• Regional Cooperation: Strengthening cooperation with Nepal to manage shared river systems and reduce flood risks.
• Sustainable Land Use Planning: Implementing land use policies that minimize flood risks and promote sustainable development.
• Long-Term Solutions: Exploring long-term solutions such as constructing dams or reservoirs to regulate river flows.

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