First Report from North Bihar

Flood 2007

• Rivers Causing Flood - Burdhi Gandak,Harha, Massan, Pandai, Lalbakiya, Bakaiya, Bagamati, Dhaunsa, Adhawara Group of Rivers, Kamala, Jeevachh, Bhutahi, Balan, Kareh, Baya, Kosi, Paraman, Kankai, Mahananda, Naraini, Ghaghara and Ganga.

• Affected Districts - (i) West Champaran, (ii) East Champaran, (iii) Sheohar, (iv) Sitamarhi, (v) Muzaffarpur, (vi) Madhubani, (vii) Darbhanga, (viii)Samastipur, (ix) Begusarai, (x) Khagaria, (xi) Saharsa, (xii) Supaul, (xiii) Madhepura, (xiv) Bhagalpur (Nawagachhiya Sub-division) (xv) Araria, (xvi) Kishanganj, (xvii) Purnia, (xviii) Katihar.

• Flood affected areas and population up to 17th August 07.
  

• Bhandhs/Tatbandh Broken - In W. Champaran, E. Champaran, Sitamarhi, Muzafarpur, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Begusarai, Khagaria and Bhagalpur Bhandhs are broken at more than 60 places in the length of 40 ft. to 250 ft. at Phulwaria (Bazpatti, Sitamarhi), Sasauli, Bakuchi, Shivdaspur (Muzaffarpur), Ramanni (Sitamarhi), Ghanshyampur (Darbhanga), Phulparas, Madhwapur (Madubani), Tilawe Tatbandh (Raxaul), Burh Nadi Tatbandh (Pupari), Shivajee Nagar, Singhia (Samastipur), Malkauli (Kalyanpur, Samastipur), Sugauli (E. Champaran) due to the broken bandhs people are killed, displaced cattle and other livestocks are killed and agricultural crops are damaged.

• Relief Works - (a) From 9 relief centers 6000 flood packets are being distributed daily to 78 villages by boats since 2 weeks as seen in the picture below.

• (b) Medical relief is being provided from 4 centers to the people who have taken shelter at the bandhs.

• Future Plans - After the flood water being gone down following works are to be undertaken - Temporary Medical Centre - At 13 different places for a period of 2 months.

a) Places identified for Medical Centres :-

(i) Patanhi (E. Champaran), (ii) Shivhar, (iii) Purnahiya (Shivhar), (iv) Marapa (Sitamarhi), (vi) Piparahi Sultan (Sitamarhi), (vii) Bargainia, Majorganj (Sitamarhi), (viii) Aurai (Muzaffarpur), (ix) Madhawapur (Madhubani), (x) Jatmalpur - Hayaghat (Darbhanga), (xi) Kalyanpur (Samastipur), (xii) Bakhari-Pahasara (Begusarai), (xiii) Beladaur (Khagaria).

b) Permanent Concrete Platform with Shed -
150 ft. × 30ft. × 6 ft. a concrete platform with shed shall be of great help for the people of flood affected areas where they can stay for 1 to 3 months during the flood period. It is so because the people due to their livelihood problems and bondages cannot be rehabilitated somewhere else for the entire flood period and these people suffering from all the adverse conditions opt to stay in their villages. Thus such platforms of 150' × 30' × 6' shall be of great help to them.

15 villages are identified in badly affected areas of Runni Saidpur, Belsund, Bargainia and Mejarganj blocks in Sitamarhi District for the construction of high and elevated platforms and elevated platforms

After the flood relief this shed will be used for community activities and Sanskar Kendra/Ekal Vidyalaya)!!

SEWA INTERNATIONAL, Delhi