Flood threat grows to 37 districts

Patna: Changes in flood pattern witnessed over the past couple of years have rendered virtually the entire Bihar flood-prone. At present, 37 out of 38 districts are prone to floods, while previously the number stood at 28.

“Barring Jamui district, the entire state has become flood-prone. Districts previously unaffected now witness flash floods and floods owing to small rivers passing through them. This is a change that we are seeing,” said Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) vice-chairman Vyasji.

Giving examples, the BSDMA vice-chairman said Falgu river had begun inundating areas in Gaya and Jehanabad districts in the recent past, while Bhabhua had started getting impacted by floods from Karamnasa river. Similarly, Sone river has started bringing floods in three districts in southwest Bihar. All these districts were traditionally non-flood-prone.

Vyasji was speaking while informing that BSDMA will conduct Flood Safety Week from June 1 to 7 to spread awareness and train people in various aspects of rescue and relief work. BSDMA member P.N. Rai was also present on the occasion.

“We will issue advisories for people during this period, hold national consultation to check urban flooding, demonstrate animal rescue techniques at Raghopur diara area in Vaishali district. Meetings with civil surgeons and veterinary doctors will be given training in measures that need to be taken before, during and after floods,” Vyasji said.

A workshop will be held on conservation of traditional waterbodies like ahar, pynes, ponds water channels, rivulets and the problem of their encroachment. Campaign will be started in districts to ensure that these are freed from encroachments and obstructions.

Various other training workshops and programmes will also be held during the Flood Safety Week. BSDMA will issue another advisory on how to check drowning deaths and boat mishaps during the flood season.

Awareness programmes will be held with the help of water resources department in Supaul and Madhubani districts where anti-erosion works have been done along embankments. Indicators will be installed in rivers and danger level will be marked so that people could know about the water level in rivers.

Concerted efforts will be made during the Flood Safety Week to ensure that the public health engineering department provides clean drinking water in flood affected areas.

Courtesy: The Telegraph