Devastating Floods In Bihar

Dear Friends

Eastern part of Bihar is devastated by never before seen flood of furious Kosi River. The human tragedy is slowly unfolding on a scale unseen during last 50 years. More than 30 lakh people have been ordered evacuation without any place to evacuate to. Data shows number of deaths only in tens...unbelievable.

When large part of the areas in eastern districts of Bihar such as Purnia, Supaul, Araria ,saharsa, Katihar,and Madhepura are under six feet deep gushing water , statistics don't make sense.

Of course Bihar is reviled for all the ills it has and held up as a model of failed state, its people are lampooned, Govt is malfunctioning and what not. Let me assure you that nothing could have prepared any Govt or people to face such a calamity. People of that are are accustomed to recurring floods, but this is beyond the pale of their imagination.

Rain God has still not let up and Nepal has released more waters to Kosi which has raised water level to unprecedented levels and likely to rise more.
I fear that Nepal would have no alternative but to release since storage level beyond danger line would result in severe breach and multiplying catastrophe to insane level.

No wonder Kosi is called River of Sorrow in Bihar.

Nowhere to go, Nowhere to run, Nowhere to hide.




That is the reason why Dr Manmohan Singh, after Ariel survey ,announced immediate central assistance for flood relief of Rs 1010 Crores and release of foodgrain from FCI . Many state govt. have also pitched in such as Maharashtra , Gujrat but this is going to be inadequate and needs contribution from citizens of this country.

I am taking the liberty of posting the link to a webblog and address for CM's Relief Fund.


http://biharfloodrelief2008.blogspot.com/

A/C Name: Chief Minister Relief Fund, Bihar
A/C No: 10839124928
Bank: State Bank of India, Secretariat Branch, Patna.
Put your Phone number, name and address on the back of the cheque.
Deposit the cheque to the nearest State Bank of India cheque drop box.

Those who may have some objection to CM's Relief Fund might like to donate to NGO. Address and other details are in same weblog.

Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to either weblog or NGO. My native place is in the area which is under flood. Personally I am contributing to CM's Relief Fund in the pious hope that it reaches deserving people.

Message for Mods: If you find anything in this post contrary to your policy, please feel free to delete either sections of post or the entire post.

pk

No words to describe the emotions!!! Shall try whatever little is possible!!!
Thanks for drawing the attention!!!

At the risk of sounding like an obnoxious and heartless prick, I ask you, tell me one reason why we do not deserve it? Our moronic behavior towards to environment is just coming back to us. Sympathies for humans will take us no where, for it we who are at fault, not nature. It is just unfortunate that Bihar is the only state affected this way.

These sort of things are short term solutions to a problem which can grow disproportionately large and threaten the very survival of the human race itself. Open your eyes and look at the larger picture!

Bihar flood: ‘Goats and dogs sharing meals with people’

Supaul/Madhepura, August 30: Fleeing the deluge, people are sharing their meals with dogs, goats and stray animals but the devastation has not stopped robbers and musclemen from having a field day in the marooned areas of north Bihar, now beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.
"Snakes and cats have taken shelter atop trees with people. Goats and dogs are sharing meals with men," says Vibha Devi, who left her house in Balua Bazaar, one of the worst-hit blocks in Supaul district to take shelter at her parent's place at Karnapur village.

Faced with an uncertain future, thousands of men, women and children carrying suitcases, bedrolls and sacks containing whatever they could take before leaving their inundated homes along with cattle and dogs can be seen fleeing to safety on the 28-km stretch of NH 106 between Madhepura and Saharsa.

At a relief shelter at Triveniganj in Supaul district, women were engaged in prayers to propitiate 'Kosi maiya' as the swelling river showed no signs of receding.

Human misery notwithstanding, unscrupulous elements are making hay, with the sun shining only for them.

Dinesh Mandal of Rampur in Madhepura district sold the buffalo he had bought last year for Rs 10,000 for just Rs 500.

Sabiya Devi of Sirisiya sold her goat for a meagre Rs 100.

"How to escape death, how to escape the fury of mother Kosi is uppermost on the minds of people," says Dinesh.

However, the local toughs are having a gala time fleecing the hapless flood victims.

"I along with about 20 others boarded a boat taking it to be one of the relief boats of the government. Once we reached midstream the boatman started demanding Rs 3000 to drop us at a relief camp barely two km away and threatened to leave us if we did not not pay. We had to give them the money," said Om Prakash of Murliganj block in Madhepura district.

Thanks for bringing this to my knowledge. I am not quite aware of environmental issues at stake here.Such profound discussions require deep understanding of civilization ,culture ,technological development and related matters. People ,affected here and elsewhere like Punjab and UP as well, did not make that decision for themselves.In fact , the people of Bihar in affected area can be termed primitive by living standards and having least CARBON FOOTPRINTS.

If you stop investing in companies , which are guilty of such behaviour, and also throw down the Government ,which take such decisions , then perhaps some improvements could be expected.However , you may plead helplessness as it requires collective efforts rather than individual efforts. And so , there it rests as you are quite helpless as we all are individually.

It does not matter to the people at the receiving end , who took decisions and whether they were asked.

And oxus, as you advised ,I have opened my eyes and now do tell me what to do as individual?

pk

I thank all of you as words of sympathy and compassion are beacon of hope for kindred souls in dire needs.
pk

pkhja, by you, I meant "those who are reading this", and it wasn't directed at you. Also, my point was not in reply to this flood, but to a line you mentioned in your first post. How and what succession of causes lead up to the effect is like asking why the stock price moved, after the effect is disastrous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socially_responsible_investing

It's not only the companies that are at fault. Aren't we aware of what we do in our day to day life? Poor waste disposal and dumping, excessive use of energy, wastage of water, building a house from one end of the wall to the other without giving room for gardens or trees, digging bore wells, over populating earth (wonder why the words "go forth and multiply" were taken in a literal sense?) etc.
www.myfootprint.org

These little things do make a difference. It is not possible for an individual to change the society, but quoting Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta, in a response to a proposal to set up a democracy there: "Begin with your own family."

Perhaps this may enlighten you.


And you are right, these little things do make a difference. A small step is a big leap to destination. Wiki information do make people aware of these things, that does not necessarily mean they themselves follow it. Such preachings about causes and sermonizing one to face upto the consequences of deeds of mankind does not help people in need.

The need of hour is different and not to debate on issues for which one would have enough time to reflect and pontificate.

Thanks for posting here anyway.

pk

This is an appeal from Medha Patekar


Hope I am not over-reaching the forum guidelines. Traderji, may please moderate , if required.I know, from my experience that this is an open minded and helpful forum and certainly message would reach large readers.

Hi

To show concern , one can sign petition to Prime Minister on Bihar Flood Disaster

http://petitions.aidindia.org/Bihar_Flood08/

pk