BIHAR FLOOD-A DEVASTATION UNDERSTIMATED
The devastation caused by an unprecedented flood sweeping heartland of Bihar is in many senses yet to be appreciated in right earnestness. The breach in the embankment on Nepal side, which was evident from the satellite image taken as back as 1995, created man-made disaster, currently blamed on nature. The movement of Kosi, a river historically feared for its notoriety of causing devastating floods, since 1954, had been cause of continuous challenge on both Nepal and Bihar side.
The power struggle in Nepal and lack lusture approach on India side sowed the seed on this disaster. India and Nepal signed two treaties in the 1950s -- The Kosi Treaty of 1954 and the Gandak Treaty of 1959 to tame the furies caused by these two rivers.
In 1956, the construction of embankment of 105 km on eastern side and 106 km on western side respectively were started. The subsequent Indian plan to build a dam at Barakshetra inside Nepal never materialized as government on both sides avoided to get entangled in this sensitive issue of water-management through dam.As per an estimate approximately two lakh hectares of cultivated land has since been drawn destroying crop worth more than Rs. 250 crores. Over 25 lakh people in 15 districts have been hit by the impact of one of the worst floods in recent memory. The worst affected districts are Madhepura, Saharsa and Supaul.
The flood fury, which was first realized by Bihar Government as early as August 18, has caused death of 65 persons till now. An unofficial estimate of deaths is around 1200 people. The main reason behind deaths is non-realisation of intensity of the devastation by the affected people, despite persistent request from the Government for evacuation. No one took the situation seriously for a while and the villagers tried to hold the forte, taking it as another annual flood, which is regular feature in this area.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh immediately after aerial survey of the affected area declared it as national calamity and announced a central assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore and 1.25 lakhs of food grains. The reliefs have also started pouring in from different states and bodies. The Army through its more than 30 columns are actively participating in relief measures.
Many NGOs and Self help groups are actively participating in the relief work. Noted Film Makers and son of soil, Prakash Jha is trying to strengthen the process of rehabilitation of affected people through the Organisation “Punarvas”. This is long lasting devastation and we want to hold hand of the affected people till they are fully rehabilitated, says Prakash. His idea is to adopt “Sivirs”, “the camps” at different locations and help around 5000 people, in their rehabilitation.
Another group, which has been active in micro-banking in the areas now flooded, are contemplating more comprehensive rehabilitation program by extending micro finance support to flood ravaged population. The idea is to encourage people to return to active life by giving them opportunity to start afresh, says Ujjwal Chaudhary, an IRS officer supporting the initiative. Dubey and Partners, a Delhi based law firm, with offices at different locations including at Patna, is one of the most active law firms helping several of such NGOs and other relief providing organizations, in various compliances. It is important that funds are properly and legally used; its’ not matter of money only but also the trust involved therein. The flow of foreign funds and alignment of global organizations in the process of rehabilitation essentially requires compliances under regulatory framework. The firm will ensure compliances for both local and global organizations through the process of due diligence and continuous legal support.
AODB with Tie, ICC, AIF, ICA, FIA and many other organizations is contemplating to use its network and associations to facilitate the process of rehabilitation. and has taken the responsibility to create awareness of situation on global level. In this hour of crisis, Bihar desperately needs attention of the world. Our goal is to find out the needs and provide comprehensive rehabilitation not limited to food and shelter only. People would need support to re-build what they have lost.
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