Bihar evacuation begins, 800 000 flood victims rescued

by Tina Kells | September 5, 2008 at 08:43 am | 134 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

Rescuers have finally come to the flooded Bihar region of Norther India. The slow response of the Indian government drew criticism and accusations of racism earlier this week, and the evacuation efforts are seen by many as long overdue.

Large swathes of the already impoverished state of Bihar were flooded after flood defences along a river in southern Nepal broke, shifting the flow of the Kosi river.

Indian armed forces, other official bodies and aid groups have since used boats to hunt for survivors, some of whom have spent up to two weeks trapped on roofs or isolated high ground without food or clean water.

"A major part of evacuation is over with more than 800 000 people evacuated and shifted to safe places. About 280,000 of them are taking shelter at relief camps," Bihar Disaster Management Minister Nitish Mishra told reporters.

"It was an unprecedented operation, not only in India but in the world," Mishra said, but cautioned that some 50 000 to 100 000 people were still believed to be trapped in flooded areas.

More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the floods that ravaged the region after torrential rains caused the Kosi dam to burst. Vast stretches of land disappeared under the resulting rush of water. Bihar is among the poorest regions in India and has been the people who live there have been subjected to discrimination from residents in wealthier areas of the country.