Many parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are suffering from floods as river Ganga and its tributaries are flowing above the danger mark. So far, at least 40 people are reportedly dead and many have been displaced and forced to evacuate their homes as water continues to rise in the rivers.
Here’s everything you need to know:
- Situation is grim in Bihar where nearly 20 districts out of 38 are severely affected. In the past three days, 19 people have died and over 5 lakh have been displaced. River Sone and Ganga are flowing above the danger mark. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met PM Modi on Tuesday and pitched for a national silt management policy as a permanent solution to the flood problem. He demanded the removal of Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, which he says is the real sorrow of Bihar and is responsible for silt deposition in Ganga.
- The centre on August 22 rushed 10 NDRF teams to flood-hit areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to launch massive relief and rescue operations.
- “More than 26,000 people have been evacuated from various flood-prone areas. Besides the rescue work, these teams have provided medical care to more than 9,100 people,” the NDRF said.
- Situation is no better in Uttar Pradesh, where river Ganga and Yamuna have crossed the danger mark affecting over two lakh people. Schools in various districts of eastern UP have been closed. Allahabad, where the two rivers meet, is the among the worst-hit districts. Speculations are that if the rivers continue to rise, it may halt railways as well. Together, with the floods, heavy rains are causing further trouble of water logging and sewage backflow as the drainage system in flood-hit areas are completely out of order at present.
- According to the central water commission (CWC), Ganga water has touched the 72.48 metre mark in Varanasi, very close to the highest ever level of 73.901 metre in 1978. Going by the CWC, on August 23, the Ganga water was rising at the rate of one centimetre every hour.
- In Varanasi, cremation is being performed on the roof havelis and rooftop of old houses near the river as the ghats and adjoining lanes are completely submerged in Ganga.
- Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to take stock of the situation and assured them support from the centre.
- In Madhya Pradesh, water has receded in all flood affected areas. Almost 5 lakh flood-hit people have returned to their homes. However, the MET department has issued heavy rain alert in the state. 17 people reportedly died due to floods in the state.
