PATNA, India: The five million affected by Bihar floods are facing worsening conditions as heavy rainfall and swollen rivers inundate homes, farmland and roads across the eastern Indian state, with authorities reporting at least 20 deaths and widespread disruption to daily life.
The Bihar Disaster Management Department said nearly five million people in 15 districts had been affected by the flooding. Authorities are facing growing challenges in providing food, drinking water and other essential supplies as river levels remain dangerously high.
The state’s Water Resources Department reported that all seven major rivers in Bihar were flowing above their danger marks on Tuesday. Continued rainfall has increased concerns that floodwaters could spread further, particularly in low-lying communities.
Five Million Affected by Bihar Floods as Relief Efforts Intensify
The flooding began earlier this month following heavy rain in Bihar and increased rainfall in the catchment areas of rivers originating in neighbouring Nepal. Bihar is particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its location downstream from Nepal and the large number of rivers that cross the state.
The latest disaster has forced thousands of families to leave their homes or seek shelter in safer locations. Some residents have reported severe shortages of food, clean drinking water and other basic necessities.
Chandan Kumar Mahto, a resident of Saran district, described the situation as extremely difficult, saying his community was struggling to obtain food, safe water and milk for children.
In Vaishali district, resident Lakhmania Devi said her family had moved onto the roof of their home after floodwaters entered the property.
State authorities have said relief operations are continuing. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said essential supplies were being distributed to affected families.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also said financial assistance of $72 had been transferred to more than 827,000 families affected by the floods.
Flood Response Sparks Political Dispute
The scale of the disaster has also triggered criticism of the central government’s response.
Tejashwi Yadav, a prominent opposition leader in Bihar, accused the federal government of providing inadequate assistance. He claimed the death toll was higher than the official figure and said around 4.5 million people had been affected.
Also Read: Nepal Floods: Death Toll Rises to 794, More Than 2,500 Missing
Yadav also alleged that the central government had responded more quickly to disasters in Gujarat, a state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the loss of life and called for stronger rescue and relief operations. He also urged Congress workers to support communities affected by the flooding.
Continued Rain Raises Further Concerns
Bihar recorded 112.7 millimetres of rainfall during September so far, around 6% above the normal level for the period, according to the local weather office.
Officials warned that continuing rainfall and rising river levels could further complicate rescue and relief operations. The central government has also sent a federal team to assess the damage and determine the scale of assistance required.
With millions of residents affected, authorities face the immediate challenge of ensuring access to food, clean water, shelter and medical assistance while monitoring river levels and preparing vulnerable communities for further flooding.
