India's eastern part is facing "Disaster of the century".

Nearly a week after what is being termed as the “disaster of the century” hit many regions of north Bihar with the turbulent Kosi river suddenly changing its course, the political leadership of the state has responded by indulging in blame games.Over 2 million people in north Bihar have been affected after the Kosi river breached its embankment 12 km upstream in Nepal. The river seems to have charted an entirely different course, washing away whatever came in its way.

“No one can say. No one can confirm,” was the reaction of the state’s Disaster Management Minister when asked about the death toll. Unconfirmed reports said that hundreds of people have been washed away. The situation is turning worse with the 400-m breach now widening to 2.5 km. There is now no possibility of plugging it. The Kosi has now reverted to the course it followed over 200 years ago.
The National Crisis Management Committee on Tuesday met under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary in the Capital and assured all help to the Bihar Government in handling the situation.
“The situation is very bad. 1.3 lakh cusecs of water is being discharged every day from the breach,” said Resident Commissioner of Bihar C K Mishra, pointing out that their focus now was on evacuating the marooned.

Evacuation is proving to be an uphill task with people not ready to leave their livestock and move to safer places. Kumar himself is making appeals to persuade people to move as it was not a normal flood in which water recedes in a couple of days. Eighty motor and inflatable boats have been pressed into service to evacuate people and three helicopters are dropping food packets.

Source:Indian Express