Unprecedented Floods Grip Bihar: Record Water Release Devastates Millions

Bihar is currently grappling with severe flooding triggered by continuous heavy rainfall and a significant release of water from key barrages like Valmikinagar and Birpur. The state government has issued flood alerts in 13 districts, including Patna, Muzaffarpur, and East Champaran, where rivers such as the Ganga, Kosi, and Gandak are overflowing. Over 16 lakh people have been affected, with many displaced and low-lying areas submerged.

The situation worsened due to relentless rainfall in Nepal‘s catchment areas, causing a massive surge in river water. The release of 6.61 lakh cusecs from the Birpur barrage is the highest recorded in over 50 years. This discharge, along with the release of 5.38 lakh cusecs from the Valmikinagar barrage, has inundated vast areas.

Schools in the affected districts have been shut as a precautionary measure, and emergency teams are working round the clock to monitor embankments and prevent further breaches. The state’s Water Resources Department has deployed more than 90 engineers across the flood-hit regions.

Farmers have faced devastating losses, with thousands of acres of crops, including paddy and vegetables, destroyed by the floods. In response, relief camps have been set up, and medical teams have been dispatched to provide assistance to the displaced population.

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The situation is expected to remain critical for the next few days, with further rainfall predicted, posing a continued threat of flash floods in already vulnerable districts.