Pastor Suraj*, Bihar, India
As I had earlier informed that besides COVID-19 now Bihar is facing severe floods and till now 16 districts of Bihar and nearly 8.5 million people are affected by the floods, which can last till September 2020. People are compelled to migrate and have to go through a lot of sufferings like house drowned, agricultural fields with harvest destroyed, cattle died, job loss, a family member died, hunger, thirst, no electricity, continual rains, etc.
I am getting regular phone calls from Pastors and Leaders of affected areas for help. So, we are earnestly praying for some generous funds so that these people could be helped and relieved with some provisions of Dry Food Ration, Water Bottles, Plastic Covering, and needed medicines.
I have herewith attached a short report:
PATNA: The flood situation in Bihar remained grim in Bihar where over 8.5 Million people across 16 districts were affected of 130 Blocks, the Disaster Management Department said.
Flood-related deaths increased to 77. The highest 31 casualties were registered in Darbhanga district, followed by twenty six in Muzaffarpur, fourteen in West Champaran and two each in Saran, Siwan and Khagaria districts.
It said that about 5.5 Million people have been evacuated so far by 26 teams of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force.
Meanwhile, the Ganga continued to flow above the danger mark at three places in the state — Gandhi ghat and Hathidah in Patna and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, the Water Resources Department said.
The water level of the Ganga is witnessing a rising trend in Buxar, Patna Digha, Gandhi ghat, Hathidah and Kahalgaon while it has remained steady at Munger and Bhagalpur.
Major rivers which are flowing above the danger level at several places in the state include the Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra and the Khiroi.
The 16-flood affected districts are Patna, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Champaran, Khagaria, Saran, Samastipur, Siwan, Madhubani, Madhepura and Saharsa.
Floodwaters have entered homes in Bishunpur village of Darbhanga district, forcing people to wade through waist-deep water, even as they try and salvage their valuables.
“We witness flood every year, but this year all records have been broken,” a resident of the village said.
Similarly, many people in Mabbi village of the district and some from the adjoining areas have come out to live on the streets, as portions of their houses have been washed away in the deluge.
PATNA: The Ganga water level has crossed the danger mark substantially in the state, causing concern to the people living in the lower areas of the towns like Patna, Bhagalpur and Munger, as also in the Gangetic basin in the eastern Bihar districts of Khagaria and Katihar. The flood fear in the Gangetic basin has become acute. Further, moderate rainfall is expected till August 31.
(Ganga water level rises and inundates Rajapur Pul areas in Patna)
On Monday, the Ganga was flowing 31cm above the danger level at Buxar, 41cm above the red mark at Digha and 98cm above at Gandhi Ghat in Patna town, as well as 88cm at Hathidah in Patna district.
The water level was also rising all along its downstream, including at Munger and Bhagalpur, and was flowing 71cm above the danger level at Kahalgaon, around 50km west of Farakka. The flood problem in the Ganga basin in Bihar is likely to accentuate in the next couple of days.
Further, the catchment areas of several north Bihar rivers lying both in Nepal and Bihar – like of Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla and Mahananda — are expected to receive moderate rainfall (15mm to 64mm) up to August 31.
Similar rainfall forecast has also been made with regard to south Bihar districts, where the catchment areas of rivers like Punpun and Sone also lie. On Monday, the flood bulletin issued by the state water resources department (WRD) said the water levels of both Sone and Punpun were rising.
Thanks a lot for your prayers and concerns for us and Bihar.
Best Regards!
Suraj*
