Worst flooding in decades hits India, Nepal and Bangladesh

World Today

Worst flooding in decades hits India, Nepal and Bangladesh

More than 2.2 million people have been affected by floods in India’s eastern Bihar state, which have also severely disrupted power supply, authorities said on Wednesday.

Government officials said at least 514 people have been killed in the monsoon floods in the province, with thousands sheltered in relief camps away from their inundated homes.

In Mumbai, thousands needed to be evacuated or rescued.  On Tuesday, the city received about 5 inches (127 millimeters) of rain.
Days of intense monsoon downpours have deluged the financial hub of more than 20 million people.   Authorities in Mumbai said at least five people had died since the intense rainfall began on Tuesday.

Days of torrential rains have caused rivers in Bihar like Bagmati, Lakhandayee and Falgu to swell and to burst their banks. The floods, worst in years, have also washed away crops, submerged roads and disrupted power supply.

Darbhanga district magistrate Chandrashekhar said water was receding at several places and administration was making alternative arrangements to restore power supply.

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the flood situation in Bihar state and announced a relief package of five billion rupees ($78 million) following a meeting with Bihar State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.

Flooding is an annual problem during the monsoon season in South Asia, but the impact is worsened by crumbling civic infrastructure, clogged drains and uncontrolled urban expansion.

Annual rainfall is essential in India as rains support two-third of the 1.3 billion population living in rural areas who rely on farming. But excessive rainfalls cause problems like floods, landslide, and water borne diseases.

Story by Reuters