More than two and a half million people have been evacuated from their homes in India as flooding devastated central and northern parts of Bihar after the Koshi River breached its banks.

The Koshi is over 15km wide in places and is still expanding. The affected districts are  Supaul, Saharsa, Khagaria, Araria, Madhepura, Katihar and Purnea.

Caritas partners are in the region assessing the damage and have released funds. Caritas says thousands of people are stranded on the roadside, where the land is high. Transport and communication is impossible in many areas. 

Caritas India says the immediate need will be rescue and evacuation as villages are being cut off. There is also a need for food aid, medical assistance and supply of tarpaulins.

Caritas India has diverted resources into meeting these needs.

Caritas India staff on the ground sent this report: “Today we made a brief visit to Madhepura. The situation is grim and it appears to be getting out of control. Madhepura has a total population of about 1,400,000. Now the government is in the process of evacuating nearly 1,300,000 as the water level is rising above danger mark in most of the villages.

“We can see endless lines of people and cattle moving on the road for several kilometers. The situation is becoming worse today as there is heavy rain and the only road to the entire area is already breaching and will be cut off within the next few hours.  The entire area will be cut off.

The Indian Government is using airdrops and boats to reach those stranded by rising waters, but many areas still remain cut off.

Caritas says a priority will also be the rehabilitation phase once the water has receded.

Michelle Hough Communications Officer Caritas Internationalis
Tel: +39 06 69879752 Cell: +39 334 2344136 Skype: meesh_roma