India – Bihar Floods Worsen Leaving 60 Dead and 380,000 Displaced

Over 20 people have died in the last 2 days as the flood situation in Bihar, India, worsened once again.

The Department of Disaster Management in Bihar reported yesterday that 22 people have been killed in the floods since 01 August. The brings the total number of flood-related fatalities to 60 since the current flooding began in mid July.

The deaths were reported from Purnea (24), Katihar (15), Supual (8), Kisanganj (5), Madhepura (4), Gopalganj (2), and 1 each in Saharsa and Araria.

On 28 July, officials reports said that over 1,500 villages had been flooded. That figure has since risen dramatically and, as of 02 August, stood at 2,200.

Four more districts have been affected by the floods since late July: Saharsa, Gopalganj, East Champaran and Muzafferpur, bringing the total number of districts affected is twelve. The other districts affected are: Kishanganj, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Madhepura and Darbhanga.

A total of 460 relief camps have been set up in the flood-hit areas, and are currently accommodating 377,097 people displaced by the floods.

Rivers

As of 02 August, the Ganges river at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district remained above the danger mark after continued heavy rain in river catchments in Nepal,

According to Bihar Department of Disaster Management, other rivers above the danger mark include the Bagmati River at Benibad, the Kosi River at Baltara and the Mahananda River at Jhawa.

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.