India – 1,500 Villages Flooded in Bihar, 17 Dead

Nearly half a million people have been affected by the floods in 8 districts of Bihar, according to a statement from the Department of Disaster Management on Wednesday, 27 July, 2016.

Over 1,500 villages have been flooded in the eight affected districts: Kishanganj (543), Purnea (478), Araria (292), Supaul (106), Katihar (177), Bhagalpur (8), Madhepura (48) and Darbhanga (9). Over 1.7 million people have been affected by the flooding.

According to official reports, at least 17 people have died in the floods since 01 June. The deaths occurred in the districts of Araria (1), Supaul (6), Kishanganj (5), Katihar (1), Purnea (3) and Madhepura (1).

Teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force and the Bihar Disaster Response Force have been deployed in flood-hit districts. Around 60 medical teams have also been deployed.

The state disaster management department has asked people living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. Officials say that since the flooding began, 378,526 people have evacuated their homes. As of 27 July, 116,688 were accommodated in 292 relief camps.

India’s Central Water Commission (CWC) report that rivers at at least 17 locations in the state are close to or above danger levels. An orange (mid level) alert has been issued for the Mahananda River at Jhawa, Katihar, which stands at 33.2 metres, well above danger level of 31.4. The highest recorded level there is 33.52 from August 1987. CWC forecast levels of the Mahananda to fall over the coming days.

Flood rescue and evacuation operations by NDRF in Kishanganj district, Bihar, July 2016. Photo: NDRF

Flood Summary

Last updated: September 12, 2016

Event

Bihar, India, July to September 2016

Date

July 15, 2016

Type

Inland flood, River flood

Cause

Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall

Department of Disaster Management Bihar report as of 18 July, 31 villages in Araria and Supaul had been flooded. By 27 July, over 1,500 villages had been flooded in the eight affected districts: Kishanganj (543), Purnea (478), Araria (292), Supaul (106), Katihar (177), Bhagalpur (8), Madhepura (48) and Darbhanga (9). On 28 July, villages in the districts of Saharasa (7) and Gopaiganj (15) were also affected. By 02 August, the districts of Saharsa, Gopalganj, East Champaran, Muzafferpur had also been affected. From 05 August, the districts of Saran and West Champaran were also affected. After a short respite where many were able to return to their homes, further flooding struck from 19 August, with the worst affected districts being Patna, Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Buxar, Bhojpur, Sonepur, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Nalanda and Katihar.

Locations

A - Kishanganj
B - Purnea
C - Araria
D - Supaul
E - Katihar
F - Bhagalpur
G - Madhepura
H - Darbhanga
I - Saharsa
J - Gopalganj
K - East Champaran
L - Muzafferpur
M - West Champaran
N - Saran
O - Patna

Magnitude

River level

33.2 metres
Mahananda River at Jhawa, Katihar, - July 28 to July 28, 2016
The highest recorded level there is 33.52 from August 1987

Damages

Affected

1.7 million
July 15 to July 28, 2016
As of 27 July, over 1,500 villages had been flooded in the eight affected districts: Kishanganj (543), Purnea (478), Araria (292), Supaul (106), Katihar (177), Bhagalpur (8), Madhepura (48) and Darbhanga (9). By 02 August, 2,200 villages had been affected, including villages in the districts of Saharsa, Gopalganj, East Champaran and Muzafferpur. By 07 August, 2,391 villages were affected, including parts of West Champaran and Saran districts.

Fatalities

228 people
July 15 to September 12, 2016

Evacuated

641,707
July 12 to August 8, 2016

Evacuated

715,158
August 19 to August 30, 2016
After a short break from the rain where many were able to return to their homes, further flooding struck from 19 August.

Affected

3.753 million
August 19 to August 23, 2016
Further flooding struck from 19 August, mostly affecting Patna, Vaishali, Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger and Katihar.