NASA have issued satellite images of the recent flooding in Bihar, India.
Bihar has been affected by floods since the start of this year’s monsoon, affecting millions and displacing over 600,000.
After a short respite where many were able to return to their homes, further heavy rainfall from around 18 August increased river levels dramatically and once again, thousands of people have been evacuated and are staying in relief camps around the state.
The images show the Ganges river near Patna, the capital of the state. The first image, from August last year, shows the Ganges at more normal levels. The second image shows the hugely swollen river, extending well beyond its normal limits.
NASA says:
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured these false-color images of a stretch of the Ganges River near Patna on August 10, 2015 (top), and August 21, 2016 (bottom). These images use a combination of infrared and visible light to increase contrast between water and land. Water is blue. Vegetation is green. Notice that the water is a slightly lighter shade of blue in the lower image due to all the suspended sediment in the water.
Ganges at Record Levels
According to figures from India’s Central Water Commission of earlier today, the Ganges in Patna district is just 8 cm below the highest recorded.
The Ganges at the Patna Gandhighat measuring station in Patna district, Bihar, stood at 50.19 metres, well above danger level of 48.6 metres.
The highest level recorded at this point is 50.27 metres, from 01 August 1994. Forecasters expect the Ganges to rise further over the next 24 hours to 50.21 metres. From 25 August, levels are expected to start falling.
At the Bhagalpur measuring station in Bhagalpur district, down river and about 200 km east of Patna, the Ganges stands at 34.63 metres, well above the 33.68 danger mark and beating the previous high of 34.5 of September 2013.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Ganges has also exceeded previous records at the Ballia station in Ballia district. Levels there are currently at 60.37 metres, again well above the danger mark of 57.615 and beating the previous high of 60.25 set in September 2003.
Dozens Killed, Thousands Evacuated
The floods in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have forced thousadns from their homes and into relief camps.
Local disaster management officials say that over 100 people have died in floods in Bihar since the start of the monsoon.
Over 40 people have died in the most recent spate of floods to hit Uttar Pradesh.
Flood Summary
Locations
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
Mahananda River at Jhawa, Katihar, - July 28 to July 28, 2016
The highest recorded level there is 33.52 from August 1987
Damages
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.
July 15 to September 12, 2016
July 12 to August 8, 2016
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.
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.
Related Links
- India – Over 120 Dead After Monsoon Rains Cause Floods and Landslides in 8 States
- India – 1,500 Villages Flooded in Bihar, 17 Dead
- India - Bihar Floods Worsen Leaving 60 Dead and 380,000 Displaced
- India – Bihar Floods Force 650,000 From Their Homes, Death Toll Rises to 95
- India – Floods in 5 States Leave At Least 35 Dead and Thousands Displaced
- India – Floods in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh Affect 4 Million, Ganges at Record Levels
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Amroha
C - Kushinaga
D - Pilibhit
E - Lakhimpur Kheri
F - Basti
G - Bahraich
H - Ghaziabad
I - Jalaun
J - Varanasi
K - Ghazipur
L - Allahabad
M - Ballia
Magnitude
River Ghagra at Elginbridge, Barabanki - July 18 to July 18, 2016
Danger level is 106.07 metres. As of 18 July, river was showing a rising trend.
Ganges at Ballia - August 25 to August 25, 2016
Previous record is 60.25 metres from 14 September 2003
Damages
July 14 to July 16, 2016
July 14 to July 16, 2016
July 14 to July 16, 2016
August 19 to August 23, 2016
Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Terai regions
August 19 to August 25, 2016
Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Terai regions
