The flood situation in Bihar is getting worse. Rise in water levels of several major rivers including Ganga has affected public life in many parts of the state. Lower areas of several districts including Patna have been flooded and thousands of families have been forced to move to safer places. According to the latest report, about 19.57 lakh people have been affected by floods in 11 districts of Bihar.
The Ganga water level has crossed its previous highest flood level at Gandhi Ghat in Patna, clearly indicating the seriousness of the situation. Apart from Ganga, several rivers including Ganges, Kosi, Budhi Ganges, Punpun and Ghaghra are flowing above the danger mark at various places in the state. The Bihar government and the Disaster Management Department have stepped up relief efforts, but the extent of the situation is constantly demanding stronger assistance from the Centre.
Millions of people affected, relief operations continue
The administration has set up relief camps, community kitchens, medical camps and boats in the flood-hit areas. According to government reports, community kitchens are being run to deliver food to thousands of people, while medical teams and boat ambulances are trying to provide health facilities.
NDRF and SDRF teams are also deployed in the rescue operation. Boats are being used to evacuate people in several sensitive areas. According to Indian media reports, about 33 NDRF and SDRF teams and about 700 government boats are being used in the relief operation.
But the question is, when the floods are affecting millions of people, can the state handle such a huge crisis with its existing resources?
Demand for special assistance at the national level
In this situation, demands are being raised that the Central Government should immediately provide additional financial, technical and humanitarian assistance to the state, considering the floods in Bihar as a serious national disaster. However, an essential legal point is that the Disaster Management Act of India does not prescribe a separate legal category from the name โNational Disasterโ. The Central Government can provide assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund or NDRF in case of disasters of serious nature.
For this reason, the debate should not be limited to the use of the term โnational disasterโ alone, but should focus on aid on the ground. Additional funds, relief materials, rescue teams, medical assistance and rehabilitation arrangements must be increased immediately as per the needs of Bihar.
The biggest challenge facing Bihar
Bihar faces serious flood problems every year, but the impact of every flood is not the same. When river levels reach dangerous levels and several districts are affected simultaneously, the scale of relief operations also needs to be increased.
The most urgent task in the current situation is to deliver food, clean drinking water, medicine and safe shelter to the affected families. Also, continuous monitoring of vulnerable embankments, roads, bridges and power systems is necessary. The state government has also directed officials to run community kitchens 24 hours a day and increase surveillance on the embankment.
The challenges will not end after the flood waters recede. Then disease, loss of houses, ruin of agriculture, loss of livestock and crisis of employment will emerge. For this reason, special packages may be required for relief as well as long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Center and states should work together to accelerate relief
The current floods in Bihar need to be seen as a humanitarian crisis rather than a political debate. The state government is conducting relief and rescue operations at its own level, but for such a largely affected population, faster coordination between the Center and the state is essential.
The central government should provide additional resources by conducting an urgent assessment of the needs of the affected areas. If the situation goes beyond the normal capacity of the State, maximum use should be made of the Central assistance available under disasters of serious nature.
The people of Bihar want help on the ground, not statements. Boats, food, medicine, safe shelter, clean water and financial support are needed today. Therefore, the demand for immediate special relief package and comprehensive central assistance from the central government is fully justified.
Conclusions
Floods in Bihar are no longer just a state problem. In this crisis affecting millions of people, the central and state governments need to step up their relief operations together. The legal status of a โnational disasterโ may be a separate issue, but getting immediate and adequate help at the national level according to the needs of Bihar is of utmost importance.
