Bihar is battling with severe floods since mid-week last. The heavy rains in the foothills of Bihar, the mountains of Nepal and the catchment areas were on the predicted lines. The remnant of the monsoon system, which earlier travelled to Uttar Pradesh, shifted the eastern end of the monsoon trough along the foothills. This situation is always conducive for heavy to very heavy rains.
There are multiple reasons for severe floods in the state of Bihar. The entire stretch of Nepal has rained heavily. The catchment areas remain impervious initially to restrict the flow of water. However, rising volumes increase the force of water which gushes through the different water channels in that area. Heavy rains in the mountains, as such, compound the situation. The quantum of water released by Nepal has been the highest, since 1970. The dams and barrages in that area are more than full, to their capacity and therefore, the discharge has been continuous and huge.
The foothills of Bihar have also rained very heavily. More than 13 districts have been drastically affected. People have been shifted to safe shelters for the security and safety of life and assets. All the major rivers of the state are in spate. More so, river Kosi, the sorrow of Bihar and Gandak & Burhi Gandak are flowing much above the danger level, breaching the embankments. In Nepal alone, there have been about 200 casualties and thousands of people marooned in Bihar. There has been a record release, since the last 40 years, from the Kosi barrage. The situation is grave and worrisome.
The rains have slowed down over the affected areas in the past 24 hours. These are unlikely to pick up and will remain minimal in the next 48-72 hours. However, as it happens, the water bodies keep responding for quite some time, even after the cessation of rain. The weather conditions will improve significantly and the rescue operations will not be hindered. Yet, the stagnant pool of water and flood-affected and low-lying inundated areas will not find easy exit of water. The water will recede at a slow pace. The fresh inflow of water will cease with, shortly. Overall, the conditions are expected to improve to continue with the relief operations.
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