Bihar floods still affect 48 lakh people as rivers begin to recede

Floodwaters in Bihar have started to recede, yet roughly 48.70 lakh people in 575 gram panchayats across 88 blocks of 15 districts remain affected. Major rivers such as the Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun, Bagmati and Ghaghra were previously above danger marks at several points. State authorities have activated 1,257 community kitchens and 13 relief camps, providing shelter, food and medical care to about 12,260 people, and are using around 1,790 boats for transport and evacuation.

Ten National Disaster Response Force teams and 27 State Disaster Response Force units are on the ground. Opposition figure Tejashwi Yadav criticised the central government and the chief minister for failing to secure a dedicated relief package, contrasting Bihar’s situation with the response in Gujarat.