Bihar is once again experiencing severe flooding, displacing 1.18 million people. The state run by Nitish Kumar has seen flooding for many years. Every monsoon, the cycle of devastation continues, and locals watch as their cattle and crops are destroyed. Many are compelled to reside in improvised shelters, rely on food that is dropped by air, and are more vulnerable to diseases that are spread by water.
Despite decades of efforts to find answers, this flood-prone state faces a topographical reality that appears unsolvable at the moment.
Why is Bihar Prone to annual Flooding?
Flooding in Bihar is driven by its location downstream from Nepal. Himalayan rivers such as the Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, and others carry large amounts of sediment due to loose soil in the region. Heavy rainfall causes these rivers to overflow, leading to floods.
As per the state’s Flood Management Improvement Support Centre (FMISC), Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India, with 76 per cent of North Bihar’s population regularly threatened by flood-related devastation.
The Bihar Disaster Management Authority categorises floods into four distinct types:
1. Flash floods: Caused by rainfall in Nepal, with a brief lead time of eight hours and rapid water recession.
2. River floods: Typically caused by overflowing rivers, with a 24-hour lead time and waters that recede over a week or longer.
3. Drainage congestion floods: Occur in river confluences, taking more than 24 hours to develop and often lasting the entire monsoon season (about three months for water to recede).
4. Permanent waterlogging: Affected areas remain waterlogged throughout the year.
The problem of permanent waterlogging arises from silted rivers, blocked drainage channels, and embankment-induced water retention. These are often worsened by local land formations called chaurs, low-lying depressions formed by shifting river courses.
This year, heavy rains in Nepal and water released from the Kosi river barrage triggered the floods. Districts such as Supaul, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and others have been severely impacted.
Problem with Embankments: The Kosi Dilemma
Bihar’s geography makes flooding nearly inevitable, and for decades, solutions have been sought. Among the state’s most notorious rivers is the Kosi, often referred to as the ‘sorrow of Bihar’.
In the 1950s, embankments were built along the Kosi River to try to restrict its flow. Initially viewed as a long-term solution, these embankments broke several times, resulting in worsening floods.
According to The Indian Express, the Birpur barrage on the Kosi in Nepal discharged 6.6 lakh cusecs of water this year, the most in nearly 60 years, resulting in embankment breaches at seven places across four districts. The embankments, which were intended for 9.5 lakh cusecs, are now overflowing due to silt building, trapping over 380 communities and almost 1.5 million people within the embankment zone. While the government has set aside land for resettlement, more than half of the region remains waterlogged.
Economic Impact of Bihar’s Floods
While the floods in Bihar don’t always result in significant loss of life, the economic toll is substantial. Damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure is considerable, and the resulting distress migration exacerbates the state’s economic challenges. The government spends around Rs 1,000 crore annually on flood relief and management.
What are the Potential Solutions?
For decades, the proposal of building a dam on the Kosi has been discussed, but the involvement of Nepal has stalled progress. Recently, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met with Union Jalshakti Minister CR Patil to propose the construction of an additional barrage on the Kosi. Similar plans are being considered for barrages at Dagmara (Supaul) over the Kosi, Areraj over the Gandak, and another over the Bagmati, The Indian Express reported.
Meanwhile, the Flood Atlas of Bihar recommends a shift in strategy. Instead of relying on structural measures like embankments, it suggests focusing on minimizing flood risks and damages, especially for dynamic rivers like the Kosi.
However, the experience with embankments suggests that engineering solutions alone may not be enough to solve the flood problem.
Get the latest news updates and stay informed with FELA NEWS!
Source: Business Standard
