The flood wrecked Bihar is not common; it’s a tragedy which comes in ages and it needs extraordinary efforts to tackle. But the agony is that district administration, state and union government have failed to acknowledge the gravity of the calamity. Still it seems that it has no clear cut policy which can rescue the sufferers.
The worst flood in Bihar’s history has caused gravest threat to Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Katihar, Samastipur and Khagaria districts. Hundred and twenty three people have lost their lives and nearly 20 million affected in flood.
To be very candid, the devastation has raised new questions on government’s policy making, functioning, and disaster management in states like Bihar. Flood in Koshi River, also named ‘sorrow of Bihar’, brought disaster every year to Bihar. The Union government shying away from saying that Breach in Kosi Dam is due the Nepal’s negligence, which didn’t allow the engineers to repair the dam, but the Bihar government said the center has not taken this matter seriously with Nepal.
On the other hand, Nepal showed her ire that’s why it was not repaired in summers. As per the 1954 treaty with Nepal, the safety and the maintenance of embankment is India’s responsibility. The lack of coordination from the Nepalese side and lackadaisical attitude of Indian government has paved the way for this catastrophe.
Regular Floods in Bihar has desperately jolted the economy of Bihar. And it also provides a setback to India’s economy. Despite having a National Disaster management authority neither we have plans now we have adequate resources to avert these calamities. It should be the collective responsibility of Union government, state and the agencies, working in disaster management.
