2017 Bihar flood

{{short description|Flood in Bihar, India}}

{{Infobox flood

| native_name = 2017 उत्तर बिहार बाढ़

| duration = August 2017

| image =

| name = 2017 North Bihar Flood

| total affected = 17.18 Million

| total fatalities = 514 people

| areas affected = North Bihar, India

}}

2017 Bihar floods affected 19 districts of North Bihar causing death of 514 people.{{cite web|url=http://disastermgmt.bih.nic.in/press+notes/PR07092017Evening.pdf|title=Disaster Management|website=disastermgmt.bih.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910125920/http://disastermgmt.bih.nic.in/press%20notes/PR07092017Evening.pdf|archive-date=2017-09-10|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ddinews.gov.in/national/flood-situation-bihar-constantly-improving|title=Flood situation in Bihar constantly improving|publisher=DD News|date=2 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flood-situation-improves-in-bihar-number-of-dead-at-514-1743155|title=Flood Situation Improves In Bihar, Number Of Dead At 514|publisher=NDTV|date=28 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-flood-toll-reaches-418-1-67-crore-affected-in-19-districts/articleshow/60225425.cms|title=Bihar flood toll reaches 418; 1.67 crore affected in 19 districts|work=The Times of India|date=25 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-floods-number-of-deaths-rises-to-341-1740717|title=Bihar Floods: Number Of Deaths Rises To 341|publisher=NDTV}}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-floods-119-dead-rains-likely-to-continue-for-a-week/articleshow/60113191.cms|title=Bihar floods: 119 dead; bridge collapse caught on camera|work=The Times of India|date=18 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/bihar-floods-death-toll-rises-to-202-in-18-districts-thundershowers-likely-to-continue-today-3951357.html|title=Bihar floods: Death toll rises to 202 in 18 districts; thundershowers likely to continue today|date=20 August 2017|publisher=Firstpost}} 2,371 panchayats (settlement councils) under 187 blocks of 19 districts of Northern Bihar have been affected in the flood.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/number-of-deaths-in-bihar-flood-rises-to-482-101-dead-in-up-1742702|title=Number Of Deaths In Bihar Flood Rises To 482, 101 Dead In UP|publisher=NDTV|date=22 August 2017}} Around 1.71 crore (17.1 million) people were hit by the floods.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-flood-deaths-rise-to-440-prime-minister-announces-rs-500-crore-relief-1742458|title=Bihar Flood Deaths Rise To 440; Prime Minister Announces Rs 500 Crore Relief|publisher=NDTV|date=27 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Q0VX3xLI4jLwhnX5hfQWpI/Bihar-floods-death-toll-touches-440-171-crore-people-stil.html|title=Bihar floods’ death toll touches 440, 1.71 crore people still affected|date=26 August 2017|publisher=Livemint}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/bihar-floods-cost-39-more-lives-up-staggers/article9831334.ece|title=Bihar floods cost 39 more lives, UP staggers|date=25 August 2017|work=BusinessLine}}{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/bihar-floods-death-toll-rises-to-304-1-38-crore-people-still-battling-deluge-in-18-districts-3958457.html|title=Bihar floods: Death toll rises to 304, 1.38 crore people still battling deluge in 18 districts|date=21 August 2017|publisher=Firstpost}} Over 8.5 lakhs of people have lost their homes, with Araria district alone accounting for 2.2 lakh homeless people.{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/849796/a-long-road-to-recovery-why-flood-victims-in-bihar-are-not-hopeful-of-speedy-compensation|title=A long road to recovery: Why flood victims in Bihar are not hopeful of speedy compensation|first=Aritra|last=Bhattacharya|website=scroll.in|date=30 October 2017}} 2017 Flood has broken 9-Year record of deaths In Bihar.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/bihar-floods-2017/|title=Bihar's scary new flood}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/47-more-die-in-bihar-up-floods-situation-in-assam-west-bengal-improves/articleshow/60179733.cms|title=47 more die in Bihar, UP floods; situation in Assam, West Bengal improves|work=The Times of India|date=22 August 2017}} Bihar is India's most flood-prone State, with 76% of the population in the North Bihar living under the recurring threat of flood devastation.{{cite web|url=http://fmis.bih.nic.in/history.html|title=FMIS|website=fmis.bih.nic.in}} Devastating flood was caused due to excess heavy rainfall in monsoon season.

Events

This flood was result of sudden increase in water discharge due to torrential rain in the foothill of the Himalayas in Nepal and adjoining areas in Bihar between August 12 and 20 led to flash flood in various rivers{{cite news|first=Aman|last=Sethi|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/changing-patterns-of-bihar-floods-a-cause-for-concern-for-the-state-authorities/story-YADcMZeZiAR7heywaucSoJ.html|title=Araria to Kishanganj, Bihar’s decades-old flood tragedy has a worrying new trend|date=10 September 2017|work=Hindustan Times}}Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Bagmati, Kamla, Kosi and Mahananda — due to heavy rain in the catchment areas of the major rivers of North Bihar in Nepal.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/alert-sounded-in-north-bihar-plains/articleshow/60026125.cms|title=Alert sounded in north Bihar plains|work=The Times of India|date=12 August 2017}}

The floods have affected in 19 districts of North Bihar- Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Eastern Champaran, Western Champaran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Sitamadhi, Shivar, Samastipur, Gopalganj, Saran, Siwan, Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa and Khagaria.{{cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/bihar/bihar-floods-death-toll-rises-to-482-1742698|title=बिहार में बाढ़ से मरने वालों की संख्या 482 हुई, 1.71 करोड़ की आबादी प्रभावित|publisher=NDTV (in Hindi)|date=25 August 2017|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828104935/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/bihar/bihar-floods-death-toll-rises-to-482-1742698|url-status=dead}} The casualties in four districts of Purnia division (Araria Katihar, Kishanganj and Purnia) stands at 160 deaths.{{cite news|first=Abhay|last=Singh|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/pm-narendra-modi-to-make-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-purnia-today/articleshow/60226590.cms|title=PM Narendra Modi to make aerial survey of flood-hit Purnia today|work=The Times of India|date=26 August 2017}} Araria district accounted for 95 deaths alone,{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihar-flood-toll-mounts-to-379-nitish-visits-flood-hit-areas/1/1033386.html|title=Bihar flood toll mounts to 379, Nitish visits flood-hit areas|publisher=India Today|date=24 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-floods-death-toll-mounts-to-304/articleshow/60163110.cms|title=Death toll in Bihar floods mounts to 304; situation grim in UP|work=The Times of India|date=21 August 2017}} followed by Sitamarhi (43), West Champaran (36), Katihar (40), East Champaran (19) while 25 have died in Madhubani, Supaul (13) and Madhepura (15). 24 deaths were reported in Kishanganj, while Darbhanga accounted for 19 deaths, Purnea (9), Gopalganj (9), Sheohar (4), Muzaffarpur (7), Samastipur (1) and Saharsa (4) registered four deaths each while Khagaria and Saran accounted for 13 deaths each. No deaths were reported from Siwan. Bihar government records put animal deaths in the State at 192; it announced compensation of ₹30,000 for the loss of every milch cow and buffalo and ₹3,000 for a goat.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/when-home-is-a-highway/article19562305.ece|title=Bihar floods: when home is a highway|first=Amarnath|last=Tewary|date=26 August 2017|work=The Hindu}}

The swollen Gandak engulfed about 168 villages and 44 panchayats under 8 blocks of Saran district- Panapur, Taraiya, Parsa, Maker, Dariapur, Amnour, Marhoura and Masrakh.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/thousands-displaced-in-samastipur-khagaria-saran/articleshow/60137164.cms|title=Thousands displaced in Samastipur, Khagaria, Saran|work=The Times of India|date=20 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/marooned-villagers-in-saran-wait-for-relief/articleshow/60125696.cms|title=Marooned villagers in Saran wait for relief|work=The Times of India|date=19 August 2017}}{{cite news|first=HK|last=Verma|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/saran-administration-distributes-rs-48-lakh-as-ex-gratia/articleshow/60297175.cms|title=Saran administration distributes Rs 48 lakh as ex gratia|work=The Times of India|date=31 August 2017}}

East Central Railway (ECR) division suffers Rs 47 crore (7.3 million USD) loss due to floods in Bihar, in which Rs 26.60 crore (4.1 million USD) has been lost to infrastructure damage of railway property, while more than Rs 20 crore (3.1 million USD) has been lost in passenger revenue due to cancellation of trains.{{cite news|first=Rajesh Kumar|last=Thakur|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/18-trains-cancelled-as-railways-suffers-rs-47-crore-loss-due-to-floods-in-bihar-toll-up-to-514/story-UO3C0GovKPWdcLLOILLfgM.html|title=18 trains cancelled, as railways suffers Rs 47 crore loss due to floods in Bihar; toll up to 514|date=29 August 2017|work=Hindustan Times}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/column/bihar-floods-2017-a-human-curse/20170829.htm|title=Bihar Floods 2017: A human curse!|publisher=Rediff|date=29 August 2017}}

Relief operation

On 26 August 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 500 crore (78 million USD) central assistance for flood hit areas of Bihar and ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased from the PM Relief Fund,

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi party donated over ₹ 5 crores aid to the victims in August 2017 and sent medicines worth Rs 50 lakh and a medical team to Bihar's flood-affected region

after he conducted an aerial survey of the four districts of Purnia division, including Araria district.{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-leaves-for-bihar-to-conduct-aerial-survey-of-flood-affected-regions-4814090/|title=Bihar floods: PM Modi announces Rs 500 cr relief, conducts aerial survey of flood-affected areas|date=26 August 2017|work=Indian Express}} The Centre would finally sanction more funds for flood relief measures based on the report submitted by the central team.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}} Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Jharkhand donated Rs 5 crore each to Bihar flood relief fund.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170908/jsp/frontpage/story_171525.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917033158/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170908/jsp/frontpage/story_171525.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2017|title=Cheque taken but hush, no ads please|publisher=Telegraph India|date=8 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170906/jsp/frontpage/story_171003.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032823/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170906/jsp/frontpage/story_171003.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2017|title=Flood aid to Nitish (& a pinch)|publisher=Telegraph India|date=6 September 2017}}{{cite news|first=Madan|last=Kumar|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/madhya-pradesh-donates-rs-5-crore-to-bihar-flood-relief-fund/articleshow/60279181.cms|title=Madhya Pradesh donates Rs 5 crore to Bihar flood relief fund|work=The Times of India|date=29 August 2017}} On 29 August 2017, Bihar cabinet sanctioned Rs 1,935 crore under Bihar Contingency Fund for relief and restoration work in the flood-hit districts in the state:{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/cabinet-oks-rs1935-crore-for-flood-relief/articleshow/60282440.cms|title=Cabinet OKs Rs 1,935 crore for flood relief|work=The Times of India|date=30 August 2017}}

  • payment of relief amount to the flood-affected families and differently-abled persons- Rs 900 crore
  • supply of food material - Rs 947 crore
  • ex- gratia payment to the next of kin of the deceased - Rs 8 crore
  • rehabilitation - Rs 50 crore
  • repair of houses damaged in the floods - Rs 10 crore
  • agriculture input loans - Rs 20 crore

Bihar cabinet sanctioned the amount when the toll was 400. Rs 6,000 will be given as gratuitous relief to every flood-affected person. The money would be deposited in the beneficiaries' bank accounts.{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/flood-situation-improving-in-bihar-117082901315_1.html|title=Flood situation improving in Bihar|date=29 August 2017|work=Business Standard}} Aamir Khan donated Rs 25 lakh to the Bihar Chief Minister’s Relief fund for a smoother relief operations for Bihar floods victims.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/aamir-khan-donates-rs-25-lakh-to-bihar-flood-victims/story-lOoCTGQtqlMYD8jXjDVouM.html|title=Aamir Khan donates Rs. 25 lakh to Bihar Flood victims|date=31 August 2017|work=Hindustan Times}} Saran district administration distributed Rs 48 lakh as ex gratia to the kin of 12 deceased in the floods.

Bihar Government sought a central assistance of Rs 7,636.51 crore for the post-flood repair and restoration work, which included Rs 1091.34 crore for crop compensation, a sum of Rs 2,900 crore has been sought to repair the 512 km damaged roads, among others. In October 2017, officials of an inter-ministerial team of the Centre Government held discussions in Bihar for assessing the damages caused by the floods in the state.{{cite news|first=Piyush|last=Tripathi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/central-team-in-state-to-assess-flood-damages/articleshow/60961924.cms|title=Central team in state to assess flood damages|work=The Times of India|date=6 October 2017}}

NGOs Response

  • [http://rapidresponse.org.in Rapid Response] providing relief in the affected areas.

References

{{reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2017}}

{{Natural disasters in India}}

Category:Floods in Bihar

Category:2017 disasters in India

Bihar flood