The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Floods

  • Bihar Faces Grim Flood Situation, 12.67 Lakh People Affected Across 12 Districts |

    The flood-like situation in Bihar was grim with 12.67 lakh people remaining affected in 12 districts, although water level has started receding in some places in the state, an official statement said on Sunday. While the water level of Ganga River has started decreasing in Patna and its surrounding areas, the rising trend of water levels in several rivers in other districts is affecting low-lying areas.

    A statement issued by the state Disaster Management Department (DMD) said, “Twelve districts along the Ganga are experiencing a flood-like situation and around 12.67 lakh people living in low-lying areas have been affected by rising water levels.”

    “A total of 361 panchayats in these districts have been impacted. Around 1,400 boats are being used by the district administrations in rescue and relief operations. The government is running eight relief camps in the 12 districts. A large number of people from low-lying areas have been evacuated and brought to the camps,” it added.

    The 12 affected districts are Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Saturday visited a relief camp for flood-hit people in Hajipur, and instructed officials to “take all-out efforts to provide assistance and relief”.

    Meanwhile, several trains were cancelled and many diverted as floodwaters touched the girder of a bridge in Bhagalpur district on Sunday. In a statement, the East Central Railway said that due to floodwaters touching the girder of bridge 195 between Sultanganj and Ratanpur stations, many trains have been cancelled and routes of several others passing through Jamalpur-Bhagalpur division diverted.

    “The floodwaters touched the girder of the bridge at 11.45 pm on Saturday. Besides, at certain places in Jamalpur-Bhagalpur division, several rivers are flowing above the danger mark,” it said. The trains that have been cancelled are Patna-Dumka Express, Saraigarh Deoghar Special, Jamalpur- Kiul Memu Special, and Bhagalpur-Danapur Intercity Express, it added.

    Among the diverted trains were Ajmer-Bhagalpur Express, Vikramshila Express, Howrah-Gaya Express, Surat-Bhagalpur SF Express, Anand Vihar-Malda Town Express and Brahmaputra Mail. At least four trains were short-terminated, the statement added.

  • Andhra Floods: Indian Navy Rescues Over 180 Personnel As Relief Ops Continue |

    Vijayawada: Indian Navy’s relief and rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh continued on Friday under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command. Naval helicopters undertook extensive flying operations such as airdropping food packets, medical kits and water bottles to stranded individuals.

    Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are actively evacuating people to safety and distributing food to affected households. Over 180 personnel have been rescued by these flood relief teams.

    Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Andhra Pradesh, with roads and houses submerged. The continuous rain, triggered by a land-based cyclone, resulted in heavy precipitation over just 24 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme weather was fuelled by moisture from the Arabian Sea and heat from the eastern parts of the country.

    The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with central forces and local officials, is working to provide relief. The flooding, caused by a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, has led to rising water levels at the Prakasam Barrage and inundation in several regions.

    Earlier, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with State Minister Nara Lokesh interacted with locals at Vijayawada to take stock of the situation. Soon afterwards, Union Minister Chouhan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a press conference and said that the situation in Vijayawada is unprecedented and there has been a lot of crop damage also in the area, with 2 lakh farmers affected.

    “The situation in Vijayawada is unprecedented. The area received 400mm of rainfall in a short time, such a thing has never happened before. I thank CM Chandrababu Naidu along with his team is working 24/7. The Central government is providing all help to the state. The loss of human lives has been minimal. Teams of NDRF are working here. MPs MLAs, and ministers are engaged in work here,” he said.

    “Food packets, milk and water are being dropped to stranded people using drones. Sanitation work is being done at war footing. Animal husbandry teams are also working continuously. Home Minister Amit Shah ji has sent a team here to study how water discharged can be increased from 70-year-old Prakasam Barrage. There has been a lot of crop damage also in the area, 2 lakh farmers affected. Work has started to assess the extent of damage,” Chouhan said.

    Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who reviewed the situation at the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority, also added that protecting lives and property is a top priority.

    Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced on Wednesday that drones are being used to provide food and water to flood-affected areas in the state. He also donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF).

    “Drones are being operated to supply food and water in flood-affected areas. Yesterday, I announced a donation of 1 crore rupees to the CM Relief Fund,” Kalyan said. 

  • Devastating Floods In Bangladesh Claim 54 Lives, Over Two Million Children At Risk | world news

    Bangladesh is facing one of the worst floods in decades, with 54 people confirmed dead as of Friday, according to official sources. The disaster has primarily affected 11 districts in the eastern part of the country, leaving over five million people in dire conditions.

    Death Toll And Affected Regions

    The highest number of fatalities, 19, were reported from the Feni district, based on data provided by the disaster management ministry. The deceased included six women and seven children. The unprecedented flooding, triggered by heavy rains and overflowing rivers, has devastated 64 sub-districts, leaving more than a million families homeless.

    The hardest-hit districts include Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and Habiganj. Authorities have noted that the situation in some areas, particularly Sylhet, Habiganj, and Chattogram, is beginning to show signs of improvement.

    UNICEF’s Warning: Children At Severe Risk

    UNICEF has issued a stark warning, stating that more than two million children are in grave danger as the floods have swept through homes, schools, and entire villages. “These floods, the worst in eastern Bangladesh in 34 years, have affected 5.6 million people,” UNICEF highlighted in a statement.

    The organization emphasized that millions of children and their families are stranded without access to food or essential supplies. Rescue operations are being carried out by government personnel and volunteers, but difficult conditions in some areas are hindering efforts.

    “The devastating floods in eastern Bangladesh are a tragic reminder of the relentless impact of extreme weather events and the climate crisis on children,” said Emma Brigham, UNICEF Bangladesh’s deputy representative. She further noted that many children have lost their homes, schools, and loved ones, leaving them in a state of complete destitution.

    Emergency Response and Funding Needs

    In response to the crisis, UNICEF is distributing water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, and other critical supplies. However, the organization has called for urgent funding, estimating that $35.3 million is required to support life-saving interventions for children and pregnant and lactating women.

    Government and Community Response

    Bangladesh’s interim government is facing significant challenges in managing the disaster, particularly in light of ongoing political instability and law and order issues. Over 600 people have died in recent protests and violence connected to the ousting of the previous government.

    Despite these challenges, various government forces, including the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Border Guards, along with NGOs and community organizations, are actively engaged in relief efforts. The interim government has also launched a nationwide fund collection drive to support flood victims.

    Contributions have poured in from multiple sectors, including a donation of one day’s salary from all personnel of the Bangladesh Army. People from all walks of life are stepping up to assist those affected by the floods.