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Unseasonal floods Hit Bihar’s Darbhanga, destroying rabi crops Photograph: (Canva)
Unexpected floods hit Bihar’s Darbhanga district on January 15, 2025, damaging Rabi crops. The flooding occurred in Kiratpur block due to a sudden rise in the Genhua River caused by the accidental opening of a floodgate on National Highway 56 in Madhubani district. The floodwaters submerged low-lying agricultural land, affecting several villages and leaving farmers devastated.
A Down To Earth report said water levels started rising on January 14, leading to flooding the next day. District officials said the Genhua River, between the Kosi and Kamla River embankments, saw a rapid water surge due to an inadvertent mistake involving a small floodgate on the highway. "It was an unfortunate error that led to significant losses for farmers," said an anonymous district official.
Sashi Bhusan Jha, the agriculture officer for Kiratpur block, confirmed that officials would soon assess the damage and submit a report to senior district authorities. "We're surveying the losses. Our priority is to ensure affected farmers receive support," he said. Farmers in the region are struggling with extreme cold, and this unexpected flood has added to their hardships. Many had invested heavily in their crops and were hoping for a good harvest.
Hardeo Yadav, a marginal farmer, shared his distress, saying, "My two-acre maize crop was destroyed. I had taken a loan for the crop, and now I don't know how I'll repay it." Another farmer, Manohar Sharma, expressed similar concerns, saying, "We expected a good harvest after the September 2024 floods, but now everything is gone again. We're in deep financial trouble."
The region faced major flooding in late September 2024, when the Kosi River breached its western embankment near Bhubhol village in Kartarpur block. That disaster displaced hundreds of families and destroyed vast paddy fields. The state government admitted that around 150,000 hectares of crops, including paddy, maize, banana, and vegetables, were damaged. "We understand the farmers' plight and are working on relief measures," said State Agriculture Minister Mangal Pandey.
The local government is assessing the flood damage, with agriculture officials preparing reports to determine losses. These reports will guide further action to support affected farmers and restore agricultural activities. However, repeated flooding events challenge farmers, who are struggling to rebuild their lives. Many face severe financial difficulties, and the floods threaten the sustainability of farming in the area.
A recent study by IIT Mandi, IIT Guwahati, and IISc Bengaluru has identified Bihar as one of the most climate-vulnerable states in India, with 14 of the 50 most vulnerable districts. The study highlights the state's susceptibility to extreme climate events like annual floods in the north and droughts in the south, exacerbated by high poverty rates, rainfed agriculture, and inadequate healthcare. Additionally, Bihar's exposure to hydro-meteorological disasters, frequent extreme weather events, and its location in seismic Zone V make it prone to environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Experts stress that Bihar must integrate climate adaptation strategies into its development policies, focusing on poverty reduction, livelihood diversification, and institutional strengthening. Strengthening agriculture, improving healthcare access, and investing in alternative livelihoods could enhance resilience. While other states have approached IIT researchers for assistance in drafting climate action plans, Bihar hasn’t taken significant steps. Without urgent intervention, the state’s vulnerability to climate change will escalate, threatening lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
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