Bihar floods affect 5 million people and damage critical infrastructure

Severe flooding in Bihar, driven by heavy rainfall and water released from barrages in Nepal, has affected approximately 5 million people across 15 districts. Major rivers, including the Ganges, Kosi, Gandak, and Punpun, are flowing above danger levels, severing connections between many villages and urban centers.

The state government has initiated relief efforts, including the deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams for evacuations. To assist victims, the government has allocated 579 crore rupees to provide immediate financial aid of 7,000 rupees each to roughly 800,000 affected families.

Infrastructure damage is extensive. Initial assessments indicate that over 1,050 rural roads, spanning approximately 2,000 kilometers, have been damaged or submerged across 17 districts. Repair costs are estimated at 1,000 crore rupees. Additionally, the flooding has impacted 3,800 hand pumps and water supply schemes, threatening local drinking water access. Significant damage has been reported in districts such as Bhagalpur, Patna, Bhojpur, and Saran.