Bihar's Annual Flood Crisis | 04 Oct 2024

Why in News?

Bihar faces devastating floods every year due to its unique geography and decades-old flood control methods.

Key Points

• Flood-Prone Nature of Bihar
  • Bihar is India's most flood-prone state, with 76% of North Bihar's population affected.
  • The region is crisscrossed by both snow-fed and rain-fed rivers, increasing flood risk.
  • Bihar is located below Nepal, with Himalayan rivers (Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati) flowing into the state.
  • These rivers carry high sediment loads due to loose Himalayan soil, leading to overflow during heavy rains.
• Impact of Embankments:
  • Embankments along rivers like Kosi were built in the 1950s to control flooding.
  • Embankments narrowed river channels, leading to sediment buildup and higher riverbeds, making the rivers more prone to overflow.
  • Kosi, known as the "sorrow of Bihar," floods annually despite embankments.
• Recent Flooding (2024):
  • Heavy rainfall and Nepal’s release of water from the Kosi barrage led to severe floods in North Bihar.
  • Embankments have breached in several districts, affecting 11.84 lakh people.
  • The Birpur barrage released 6.6 lakh cusecs of water, the highest in six decades.
• Economic and Social Impact:
  • Flooding results in crop loss, livestock destruction, damage to infrastructure, and forced migration.
  • Bihar government spends Rs 1,000 crore annually on flood relief and management.
• Proposed Solutions:
  • Structural: Proposals for dams and additional barrages on Kosi and other rivers.
  • Non-structural: Enhancing flood warnings, improving reaction times, public awareness, and training to mitigate flood effects.