Following are a few select articles highlighting the ground realities of the Bihar Flood. Flood related issues from India & Nepal are the focus of the articles. The collection tries to collate the exact nature of the problems faced by the displaced populace and what the civic authorities can do to ease the pain.

Experts find fault with repair work on Kosi embankment

Himalayan News Service,
Rajbiraj, November 4

Water resource experts today accused the governments of Nepal and India of ignoring the problems associated with Saptakoshi floods. Speaking at an interaction organised here today by Saptari chapter of Saptakoshi Flood Victims’ Society (SFVS), former minister and water resources expert Dipak Gyawali said the repair work on the breached embankments was not being done in a dependable manner. “It is not possible to tame the river merely by piling sand. Such a repair will not solve the problem,” he added.
Accusing the Nepali and Indian governments of not taking the issue seriously, Gyawali stressed the need to search solutions to the problem at the civil society and intellectuals’ level.

Chairman of Water and Energy Consumers’ Forum Nepal Ram Chandra Chataut alleged that the construction of pilot channel was going on without any concrete plan. “The channel under construction now will not bear even the winter rain,” Chataut claimed. Saying that sand has desertified all arable land in the affected areas, Chataut said cultivation would not be possible there for the next five decades. “There is a need to provide jobs to the flood victims and rehabilitate them. But the government is not showing any concern to solve this problem,” he said.

Chairman of the Saptari chapter of SFVS Dev Narayan Yadav said the government was doing nothing apart from resettling the victims. “Though the flood has affected over 65,000 people in Nepal and over 35 lakhs in India, the governments of both the countries are not showing any concern to address their plight,” Yadav said. Earlier, a joint team of water resource experts from Nepal and India inspected the flood-hit areas in Saptari and Sunsari districts. The Himalayan Times, November 5, 2008.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aNPata0skqzpla3Qa3ra.axamal&folder=aNPataiaoanaaal&Name=National&sImageFileName=&dtSiteDate=20081105

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Forwarded to the Portal by: Dr.V.N.Sharma

The book “Kosi-The Deluge”is a good report on the subject and contains a lot of valuable data. It is a Must Read for those who have some interest in Flood Management and especially in Kosi. It is priced at Rs. 100/- and is available with

Fact Finding Mission

C/o Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma,
7 Triveni, A-6 Paschim Vihar,
New Delhi-110063
e-mail: sudhirendar@vsnl.net,

Those are interested in procuring this may contact Dr. Sharma at above address and get it.

In September 2008, Dalit Watch published a report on its findings while monitoring 205 relief camps in the wake of the devastating floods on the India-Nepal border. This report records the damage caused by the breach on the embankment of the Kosi river in August 2008 and appraises the quality of relief efforts in the aftermath of the floods. Research was conducted in the districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Araria, and Purnia.

Outcomes of the monitoring conducted by Dalit Watch indicate a large shortfall in the organisation of critical relief aid across most of the 205 monitored sites, particularly in Madhepura district. Dalit Watch makes several recommendations for the improvement of overall quality of relief and to ensure greater accessibility for Dalit communities in particular.

Access the entire report as PDF (852 KB) here:Dalit Watch Report - 2008

Zee News reports on the Bihar CM demanding 14,500 Cr for rehabilitation:
http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-11-17/484377news.html

Also more on the clearance of Kosi rehabilitation and reconstruction policy by the GOB: http://www.zeenews.com/states/2008-11-12/482848news.html

The Times of India carries a story on the CM’s denial about flood victims being removed from camps:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/CM_denies_flood_victims_being_removed_from_camps/articleshow/3724540.cms

The Hindu reports on a 15,000 Cr package for multi-purpose Kosi rehabilitation and reconstruction policy:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200811121531.htm

The Bihar Times reports that the number of refugees has come down from 4.5 lac to 15,000:
http://bihartimes.com/Newsbihar/2008/Nov/Newsbihar18Nov7.html

Sindh Today has news of Bihar seeking aid from the private sector and NGO’s:
http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/35574.htm

Deccan Herald asks: Does Kosi 2008 lead to a dispassionate debate? http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov182008/environmet20081117101236.asp

Thaindian News reports on an artist’s flood relief charity auction for the Bihar flood victims: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/art-brings-rs40-mn-relief-to-bihar-flood-victims_100119509.html

From the frying pan into the fire? asks the News Blaze:
http://newsblaze.com/story/20081118091312tsop.nb/topstory.html

Patna Daily carries a report from Prakash Jha appreciating the progress made in flood-hit areas: http://www.patnadaily.com/news2008/nov/111908/prakash_jha_reports_from_north_bihar.html

The Economic Times reports on  MP’s donations to Bihar relief:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/_From_Tihar_to_Bihar_-_MP_Pappu_Yadav_gives_Rs_4_crores_for_floods/articleshow/3736347.cms

More Flood News:
A link to the latest news on the Kosi flood situation on Google News:
http://news.google.co.in/news?hl=en&ned=in&nolr=1&q=kosi&btnG=Search

A set of 4 articles on the Bihar floods in a recent issue of Economic and Political Weekly:

 Ramaswamy Iyer:

http://epw.in/uploads/articles/12865.pdf

C.P.Sinha:

http://epw.in/uploads/articles/12866.pdf 

Rajiv Sinha:

http://epw.in/uploads/articles/12867.pdf 

Dinesh Kumar Mishra:

http://epw.in/uploads/articles/12868.pdfÂ

The Bihar Times reports that reconstruction & rehabilitation processes are beyond rhetoric!:
http://bihartimes.com/Newsbihar/2008/Nov/Newsbihar10Nov1.html

IBN says that parents compete to name their babies as ‘Kosi’:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bihar-flood-victims-name-babies-after-kosi-river/77717-3.html

The Morung Express reports that a technical team visits Kosi.:
http://www.morungexpress.com/morung_express_national_news/7223.html

The Times of India carries a story of a migrant from Bihar.:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Deep_Focus/A_migrant_from_Bihar/articleshow/3690005.cms

Chennai Online reports on plans by the GOI provide 9000 Cr Kosi package to Bihar:
http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=7533cda0-8d95-4545-87fc-130262c2150b&CATEGORYNAME=NATL

Thaindian News reports :Bihar seeks 148 bn for relief:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/flood-ravaged-bihar-demands-rs148-bn-for-relief_100116234.html

Also a story on stoves and tools that help the victims of flood:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/for-the-flood-hit-in-bihar-stoves-and-tools-to-help-rebuild-lives_100115254.html

Latest News carries a story on auction of art works to help flood hit Bihar:
http://www.freshnews.in/artist-subodh-gupta-pitches-in-for-bihar-flood-relief-96916

The Evangelical Covenant Church to assess needs of flood victims:
http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item6683

Bihar Flood 2008 @ blogspot carries an elaborate Bihar visit report:
http://biharflood2008.blogspot.com/

More Flood News:
A link to the latest news on the Kosi flood situation on Google News:

http://news.google.co.in/news?hl=en&ned=in&nolr=1&q=kosi&btnG=Search

Report from visit to Kosi flood affected Murliganj Block of Madhepura Dist. in Bihar on 31st October and 1st November, 2008

Mahendra Yadav and his team of Asha Parivar is stationed in Babhangama, 15 kms. from Muraliganj Block headquarters of Madhepura Dist. of Bihar for over two months now to carry out relief operations and help people access relief from government schemes. Muraliganj is 80 kms. from Katihar railway station.

The salient points that emerged from my meeting with Asha Parivar and NAPM volunteers as well as from interaction with flood victims during a open debate organized by Mahendra on 1st November, 2008 at Muraliganj which was attended by 600-700 people are:

(1) People are being forced to vacate camps and mega camps as the government wants to abdicate its responsibility towards flood victims. While in camps the government has to take full responsibility of the affected people, including providing them food, health care, education to children, etc.

(2) The agricultural fields from which water is receding is now covered with various levels of sand. It is not cultivable until the sand is removed. On the other hand earth had been dug deep at several spots because of sharp water current. It’ll take a year or two before people can start recultivating their fields.

(3) The farmers will need agricultural tools, seeds, fertilizers, etc., to start agriculture again. The question of how the sharecropper, who doesn’t officially hold any land but undertook major part of agricultural activity, will receive compensation still needs to be addressed. Similarly other artisans will need their tools.

(4) People also need compensation for dead/lost cattle. The cattle which remain with the people are facing problem in being fed. The hay is all wet and government supply is unreliable because of rampant corruption.

(5) Health care facilities are poor. People have to often rush to private practitioners when the government system is not able to attend to them. There have been number of casualities due to negligence.

(6) All educational activity is standstill. It needs to begin.

(7) The compensation of Rs. 2250 in cash and one quintal of foodgrains is not being distributed honestly. At some places only 50-70 kgs. of foodgrains are being given. If somebody’s name doesn’t figure in APL or BPL lists, they are being denied relief.

(8) People should be encouraged to use RTI to access benefits flowing through various routine government schemes as well as those announced specially for flood victims.

Suggestions to Government:

(1) Make NREGS provision for 365 days for the next 1-2 years for flood affected areas of five districts affected by Kosi. People should be allowed to claim wages under NREGS for working to rebuild their own houses and for removing sand from their fields. People may have to be invited from other parts of Bihar and even other poorer states to remove sands from the fields under NREGS.

(2) PDS benefits to be extended to all families under BPL category. Supplies should be given on the basis of per member in family rather than per family. People need kerosene for lighting lamps in the night so that they can be saved from snake bites.

(3) Special package for reconstruction of Kosi flood affected area should be given by Central Government which should aim to help people get onto their feet. Various employment generation schemes will have to be implemented. The unemployed educated youth in this area should be provided with jobs.

(4) All flood affected families should be provided one Indira Awas housing.

Appeal to Civil Society:

(1) Volunteers needed, esp. doctors, veterinary doctors and teachers.

(2) Asha Parivar has decided to reach out to 10,000 families. Blankets are needed for these families.

(3) Asha Parivar has decided to provide alternative housing at the cost of Rs. 700 per house to 1000 families. Funds needed for this.

(4) Asha Parivar needs volunteers from 10th November to 30th November for carrying out a survey.

(5) Equipments needed - computers, laptops, printer, modem and digital camera.

(6) One volunteer is needed who can take care of bookkeeping/accounts.

(7) Medicines needed.

(8) Cattle feed needed.

Any relief material from anywhere in India should be booked for railway station of Katihar (NF Railway) and the ‘bilty’ (to claim the material from the railways) should be sent to Mahendra Yadav at the address: Asha Parivar, c/o Paramount School, Babhangama, Muraliganj Block, Dist. Madhepura, Mobile: 9973936658.

Any financial contributions may be sent in the name of ‘Asha’ to: Vallabhacharya Pandey, Village Bhandaha Kalan, Post Kaithi, Varanasi-221116, Ph: (0542) 2618201, 2618301, 2618401, Mobile : 9415256848, ashakashi@gmail.com

Sandeep Pandey, Asha Parivar & NAPM,
Contact: Phone: 0522 2347365, e-mail: ashaashram@yahoo.com

Forwarded to the Portal by: Selva Ganapathy.R

Dharmendar ji and Oliver [AID Eureka Team, Chennai] shares their relief work experiences in Bihar in an 8 page document that states the approach made by them towards the disaster and the experiences of the workers on the ground. The report is detailed with covering the minutae of the relief work organized and implemented. It also takes a look at the final impact of the work on the beneficiaries. Also with a number of photographs & medical reports that illustrate the conditions and common ailments in the camps.

Access the Full Report here:Relief Work - AID India’s Bihar Chapter Report

Guest Post by: Dinesh Kumar Mishra

Who cares about the public? The setting is unique. 34 Nepali villages within the embankments want the breach to remain opened. I talked to some of them and reminded them of the slogan that was in air at the time of construction of the embankments,”Aadhi Roti Khayengein, Kosi Baandh Banayengei”. I was replied that, “Poori Roti Khaayengei, Baandh nahi banane dengein.” These are supported by 380 villages within the embankments of the Kosi that are spread over 13 blocks and 4 districts with a population of nearly 1.2 million.

On the other side of the fence are 4 panchayats of Nepal of Sunsari district with a population of nearly 75,000 ably supported by nearly 900 villages of the Kosi with a population of nearly 3.5 million through which the Kosi was flowing this season. They want the breach to be plugged.

The breach will either be plugged or left as it is. If it is plugged 414 villages of India and Nepal will face the music that they have been facing for the past 45 years. If it is not, then 3.5 million people of India and Nepal will go through the same rigours. It seems the Government is duty bound to plug the breach. This would mean that those trapped between the embankments will remain trapped till such time the Kosi chooses to breach its embankment once again.

I was in Supaul recently and told by a person as, “I do not know for what crime of ours we were sentenced to life imprisonment within the embankments for decades. Fortunately for us the gate of the jail is left open at Kusaha recently. We will not allow this gate to be closed once again.” The other person told me as, ” Those who are rejoicing at the Government decision to plugging of the breach at Kusaha will repent this soon as the river will breach it in future also but not before further raising the bed level within the embankments and adding to the devastating capacity of the river. Within the embankments people are inconvenienced immensly every year but they do not die as they are prepared to face the wrath of the river but I pity those living outside the embankments. They may get killed in any flood in case of the breach.”

People do not decide things for the Governments but the Governments do. If it decides to kill them for good instead of inconveniencing them, it must have some good reason for doing that which we do not know. Will somebody throw light on this?

Dinesh Kumar Mishra

Convenor-Barh Mukti Abhyan
6-B Rajiv Nagar
Patna 800013
Bihar

Mob: 9431303360

Forwarded to the Portal by: Selva Ganapathy.R

On 27th Dharmendar ji , Matt and Russel, both are teachers from American School of Bombay went to Saharsa block on 26th and on 27th they visted Madhepura, Kumarkhand Block. During their visit they were forced to cross a 2 km strech of river using 3 boats where there was 3 cuts on the road. The current of water flowing was very high and they got stumbled in a place, but fortunately they had a narrow escape. It then took a 3 k.m walk to reach the village. There are no chances of any vehicle reaching the point at all. Earlier the road which was 7ft is now cut and reduced to 3 ft. They then visiten the village Ragonia after walking for 3 more k.m. On the way the local people have built 2 bamboo bridges out of which one of the bridge has a strech of around 500m. The enitre people of one complete village is fully residing on the bank of river. More than 50 houses are lost in the water. They are still sitting on the bank and having a lot of problems. Khevatghama village was also flooded with water on 21st. Still water flowing on the road. When they visited they had to walk on the road till which had water around 1 feet.

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