Read on Twitter
Thread #BiharFloods
Since it is the #flood ‘season’, a thread on whatever little I have (so far) understood and reported on India’s most flood-prone state, Bihar, whose 73% geographical area is prone to floods.
Since it is the #flood ‘season’, a thread on whatever little I have (so far) understood and reported on India’s most flood-prone state, Bihar, whose 73% geographical area is prone to floods.
It all started in late 2011 when I was expecting my second child. Water Conflict Forum & my friend @Watervagabond suggested I write a chapter on Mumbai floods for the upcoming publication. I wasn’t sure as my baby was due soon, but decided to write. Best decision!
In October 2012 (in between I delivered my baby
), the book “Agony Of Floods” was released in Patna, Bihar. That was the first time I travelled to Bihar. During the release, I heard so many interesting and knowledgeable speakers that I wanted to learn more about Bihar & floods.
), the book “Agony Of Floods” was released in Patna, Bihar. That was the first time I travelled to Bihar. During the release, I heard so many interesting and knowledgeable speakers that I wanted to learn more about Bihar & floods.
Ever since then, thanks to the guidance and support of @Watervagabond, I have travelled to north Bihar several times to report on issues related to water, floods and sanitation. The more I learn, I realise how little I know.
Sharing links to articles in series of tweets.
Sharing links to articles in series of tweets.
Every body loves a good flood (drought) and why flood disaster is a “third crop”.
Exactly a year ago, when Kamla Balan river breached its embankment in Madhubani, Bihar. This year Gandak breached its embankments at three places. https://www.gaonconnection.com/swayamproject/breaching-of-river-embankments-has-worsened-the-floods-in-bihar-45621?fbclid=IwAR2mcKDGG-0Dhcuk8iVZNwBZIWGNTRM9HUZVgwKrT8yALjC6f8mRgANt7Tg
Exactly a year ago, when Kamla Balan river breached its embankment in Madhubani, Bihar. This year Gandak breached its embankments at three places. https://www.gaonconnection.com/swayamproject/breaching-of-river-embankments-has-worsened-the-floods-in-bihar-45621?fbclid=IwAR2mcKDGG-0Dhcuk8iVZNwBZIWGNTRM9HUZVgwKrT8yALjC6f8mRgANt7Tg
This story of silt farmers of Gandak taught me floods and the silt the river brings from the Himalayas aren’t as bad as think these to be. https://www.thethirdpole.net/2018/10/01/the-silt-farmers-of-the-gandak/?fbclid=IwAR0i5D_Mqwf-u9xT7YlV33qt3ugIgrWCDtZuxPzf2oczj8izSoMp0HwV-tA
We often think of embankment as security feature from the floods. But there are hundreds of thousand villagers trapped between these embankments in Bihar. They face the worst floods. Story of one such village trapped between Gandak’s embankment https://www.thethirdpole.net/2018/07/19/waiting-to-drown-in-bihar/
This story broke my heart!! A poor Musahar village trapped between the Kosi river’s western embankment & Kamla Balan river’s eastern embankment in Saharsa district remains flooded for 7-8 months a year. Residents grow a unique floating paddy.But who cares! https://indiaclimatedialogue.net/2017/10/18/flood-resistant-desariya-rice-fights-survival/
But, there are some positive things happening, too. Such as rural women living in villages trapped between embankments building ecosan toilets, Phaydemand Shauchalaya. These toilets are specially designed for flood prone areas. Kudos to @MeghPyneAbhiyan https://m.thewire.in/article/environment/phaydemand-shauchalaya-ecosan-toilets-humanure-women-north-bihar-flash-floods
Bihar floods are complex and have different typologies! There are villages along India-Nepal border that face up to 66 flash floods a year! Yes, SIXTY SIX flash floods. And these all go unreported. Only the riverine floods make it to the news. https://archive.indiaspend.com/cover-story/why-deadly-worsening-flash-floods-in-bihars-border-villages-dont-get-indias-attention-94924
For us, Bihar is synonymous with floods. But, while a part of the state deals with floods, another is often struggling with drought-like conditions. The state often handles floods and drought simultaneously. And changing rainfall patterns making it worse https://indiaclimatedialogue.net/2017/10/02/bihar-face-floods-droughts-rainfall-patterns-change/
And while travelling along the India Nepal border, happened to reach a village, Susta, which is neither in Nepal, nor in India. It’s a disputed territory. And guess why? Because the Gandak river changed its course :-) https://scroll.in/article/831576/as-a-river-changed-its-course-a-village-on-the-india-nepal-border-became-disputed-territory
Not only are the embankments inducing floods, some infrastructure projects are also enhancing floods and water-logging in villages. Story of the Bettiah-Gopalganj bridge and why some villages are angry, and others relieved! http://www.villagesquare.in/2017/02/01/bariyarpur-farmers-paying-heavy-price-gopalganj-bettiah-bridge/
Why twin-pit toilets being promoted under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are a bad idea for flood-prone villages of North Bihar. We need ecological sanitation. https://scroll.in/article/812385/the-swachh-bharat-mission-may-just-trip-up-bihars-fledgling-ecological-sanitation-movement
Why there is a need to revive dugwells in North Bihar, and how some villages have taken a lead. https://scroll.in/article/804824/villagers-in-north-bihar-are-abandoning-handpumps-for-dugwells-to-escape-cancer-causing-arsenic
There is more to water issues in north Bihar than just the floods. Several districts have high fluoride, iron and arsenic in groundwater. Most villages depend on chapakal (handpump) to meet drinking water needs. It’s a serious public health issue. https://scroll.in/article/768615/how-painting-hand-pumps-red-could-save-thousands-from-poisoning-in-north-bihar
End.
