Patna: Floods in Bihar during August and September have caused an estimated loss of Rs 10,671 crore, according to preliminary departmental assessments, with more than half of the damage attributed to breached and damaged embankments maintained by the Water Resources Department. The toll includes 26 deaths, while crops across 82,186 hectares in 11 districts are estimated to have been damaged.
The assessment is provisional, and reports from several departments are still awaited. The overall damage estimate could increase after the final reports are received.
The floods affected the state in two phases, driven by heavy rainfall in the river catchment areas outside Bihar, including Nepal and Uttar Pradesh.
First Phase Causes Rs 9,617 Crore in Damage
The first phase of flooding, between August 26 and September 10, followed heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Bihar’s rivers outside the state. During this period, 30 rain-gauge stations recorded an average rainfall of more than 225 mm.
The rising water levels caused the Ganga to breach previous highest flood-level records at Danapur, Gandhi Ghat, Banka Ghat, Pandarak, Sultanganj and Ekchari. The Dardha river also recorded a new high at Kolhachak.
The first phase alone caused an estimated Rs 9,617 crore in damage, according to departmental figures.
The Water Resources Department reported losses of Rs 5,472 crore due to damaged embankments. The Disaster Management Department estimated damage at Rs 2,710 crore, followed by the Rural Works Department at Rs 1,062 crore, the Agriculture Department at Rs 270 crore, the Road Construction Department at Rs 76 crore and the Public Health Engineering Department at Rs 27 crore.
Second Phase Damages Gandak Embankments
The second phase of flooding occurred between September 24 and 30, following heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, which increased the water pressure in the Gandak river.
The river recorded a discharge of five lakh cusecs for 13 hours and four lakh cusecs for 32 hours. Water levels crossed previous records at Bagaha, Dumariaghat, Rewaghat and Lalganj.
The heavy flow damaged embankments at six locations along the river, affecting Bagaha-1, Bairia and Yogapatti blocks in West Champaran; Baikunthpur in Gopalganj; and Maker and Panapur in Saran district.
The second phase caused an estimated Rs 1,054 crore in damage. Of this, the Water Resources Department reported losses of Rs 1,027.34 crore, while the Public Health Engineering Department reported damage worth Rs 26.81 crore.
Combined assessments for both phases put the total damage at Rs 10,671 crore.
Nearly Rs 1,027 Crore Sought for Embankment Repairs
The Water Resources Department has sought funds for repairing and strengthening damaged embankments and undertaking pre-flood maintenance.
The department has sought Rs 28.65 crore to repair damaged embankments, Rs 973.69 crore to strengthen embankments in Champaran, Tirhut and other areas, and Rs 25 crore for pre-flood repairs.
The requests follow damage to embankments along the Gandak and the resulting impact on several blocks in West Champaran, Gopalganj and Saran districts.
Crops Damaged Across 82,186 Hectares
Flooding has also affected agriculture, with the Agriculture Department estimating crop damage across 82,186 hectares in 11 districts.
Waterlogging and submerged crops have caused financial losses to farmers. The extent of assistance for affected farmers will become clearer after the final crop-loss assessment is completed.
26 People Killed in Two Phases of Flooding
A total of 26 people died during the two phases of flooding, according to the figures provided. Eight deaths were reported during the first phase and 18 during the second.
Saran recorded the highest number of fatalities at 15. West Champaran reported three deaths, Munger four, Bhojpur two and Bhagalpur two.
The state government is providing an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person.
