discussion group on floods in bihar - … discussion group on “are we on the right track in...

Bihar Association for Sustainable Development

of Water & other Natural Resources

B-192, Sri Krishnapuri,Patna

Ph.: 0612-2231276

“ARE WE ON THE RIGHT TRACKS IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM”

Prof. G. P. Sinha Centre for Disaster

Management & Rural Development

0 (H), Rajendra Nagar, Patna-800 016

Tele/Fax: 612-2671820

DISCUSSION GROUP ON

FLOODS IN BIHAR

VENUE: Conference Hall of Nalanda Open University, Patna

25th August 2007

Organised By

Discussion Group on Floods in Bihar 2

Prof. G. P. Sinha

Prof. G. P. Sinha Centre for Disaster Management & Rural Development,

Patna has been established in the memory of Dr. G.P. Sinha, a renouned

Professor of Patna University and a scholar of international ripute who

apart from being an academician of high stature was a very kind hearted

man who all along his life struggled for the rights of the oppressed and

the down trodden people of the society and who was highly sensitive to

any tragic incident may it be a disaster like of the Bhopal Gas tragedy,

flood havoc, rail or road accident, communal violence or earthquack. On

all such occasions Dr. G.P. Sinha used to respond promptly and activate

his colleagues, students, friends and other persons of the society to help

in the management of the crisis situation. The formation of this center is

just a tribute to him and a measure to perpetuate the memory of this

noble soul.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE

This centre has been established keeping in mind the following

objectives :

(i) to engage in activities which may help in minimizing the damages

caused by disasters specially in rural areas;

(ii) to make endeavours towards creating awareness among the

people about disasters and its consequences and to prepare them

in advance to face such situations and to ensure their participation

in the disaster mitigation plans;


(iii) to undertake studies for examining the existing institutional

arrangements, inter-departmental linkages, role of NGO‟s,

voluntary agencies and local communities so as to understand

their capabilities to mitigate specific disasters which will also

facilitate effective coordination n their activities in times of need;

(iv) to act as an agency for the execution of disaster management

schemes of the Government and the NGOs;

(v) to undertake studies which will facilitate in the preparation of

rural development schemes and their effective implementation;

(vi) to collect, compile and publish detailed information on the latest

rural development policies and projects of the State Government

and The Government of India and to engage in activities in the

light of the thrust areas of Planning Commission such as food

processing, horticulture, sericulture and service sectors etc;

(vii) to undertake activities to empower, without any financial

incumbency, socially and economically deprived rural and urban

women through literacy, education, self income generation

schemes, professional training and overall awareness building;

(viii) to undertake studies on a regular basis to procure Disaster

Management Information – Data base and to engage in the task of

risk assessment and vulnerability analysis both for the state and

districts;

(ix) to evolve information reporting and monitoring tools for

preparedness, immediate response and damage assessment,

keeping in view the socio- economic conditions of urban and rural

areas;

(x) to undertake studies with a view to facilitating the preparation of a

comprehensive „Disaster Management Plan‟ both for the state and


the districts within the state so as to help the Government in

providing uniform directives from the state government to the

district administration and to establish standardized response to

any disaster situation;

(xi) to engage in activities directed towards spreading literacy among

minorities, dalits, most backward classes, tribal and economically

deprived communities and to ensure community participation and

income oriented generation of literacy and professional skills;

(xii) to strive for the well being of women and children specially those

who are the victims of floods, droughts, earthquake and similar

other disasters in rural and urban areas;

(xiii) to make efforts for the identification and elimination of child labor

and to restore children‟s rights. For this Centre intends to provide

economic incentive to the deserving children in school going

category and to actively campaign for the removal of socio-cultural

constraints in the community;

(xiv) to establish educational & training institutions for educating

communities in the areas of „Disaster Management‟ and „Rural

Development‟.

Considering the gap between the state and the civil society it will be

desirable for the Centre to intervene as a liaison agency between the two.

Prof. G.P. Sinha Centre for Disaster Management & Rural Development

will be committed towards involving self-empowerment and to this end

the energy and the resources of the community will have to be

channelised. The Centre will make efforts to facilitate technological,

professional and vocational training and develop necessary

infrastructure as far as possible.


Understanding Flood of North Bihar

Dr. G. P. Sinha Centre for Disaster Management & Rural Development,

Patna in association with the Bihar Association for sustainable

development of water and other Natural Resource initiated a debate to

understand the chronic and crippling flood problem afflicting North

Bihar since long. A Discussion group on “are we on the right track in

dealing with the problem” was organized on 25th August 2007 and

another on 31st August 2007. It was attended and participated by the

eminent and distinguished experts and they discussed following aspects

of the flood.

1. Causative factors of flood.

2. Aggravating factors of flood.

3. Dimensions of damage and disruption.

4. Dividends endowed / derived from flood.

5. Various techno-economically feasible and environmental friendly

preventive measures.

6. Pre flood socio-administrative preparedness.

7. Real-time emergency measures.

8. Post-flood normalcy restoration & damage control.

All the above aspects of flood were discussed and debated in detail and

a concensus emerged as follow-

1. Causative factors:

i. Hydrometrological

ii. River morphology

iii. Regional geography

iv. Environmental degradation

v. Global warning leading to glacier melts.


vi. Large scale deforestation.

2. Aggravating factors:

(i) Conflict of mankind with nature for use of common land.

(ii) Compart mentalisation of the land.

(iii) Lack of political sincerity and commitment to solve this

problem.

(iv) Rampant corruption.

(v) Local politics of relief

(vi) National politics for cheap labour supply to rest of India.

(vii) Political boundaries

3. Dimensions of Damage inflicted:

(i) Loss of precious human lives

(ii) Crop, cattle and property loss.

(iii) Destruction of pucca structures.

(iv) Epidemic outbreak.

Various Disruptions:

(i) Trauma and stress of various amplitude affecting psychie of

the people

(ii) Life routine.

(iii) Social, cultural, educational rituals.

(iv) Development activities.

(v) Physical connectivity

(vi) Communication medium

(vii) Supply chain including power supply.

(viii) Marooning of habitation

(ix) Safe drinking water supply


4. Dividend endowed / derived

(i) Most precious and life supporting water in abundance.

(ii) Highly fertile silt

(iii) Enumerable acqualife.

(iv) Bumper crop yield after flood.

5. Various environment friendly & Techno-economically feasible

preventive measures:

(i) Large scale afforestation in the catchment and over ground

accufers.

(ii) Construction of a series of multipurpose high dam / hydel

power plant /irrigation network or diversion channel etc

(iii) Inter-basin transfer of excess flood water.

(iv) Construction of flood protection embankment and anti

erosion structures.

(v) Restoration and modernization of natural water bodies

drainage channels. Construction of flyovers at all the

breached sites of NH/SH. Remodelling of all the cross

drainage structures restricting heading up of water to a

maximum 25 cm.

6. Pre-flood socio-administrative Preparedness:

(i) Construction of earthquake resistant double storey

marketing yards cum flood relief centres. Over raised

grounds in flood hit areas of north Bihar with solar lighting

and other solar powered communication system.

(ii) Mandatory construction of double storey govt. buildings

for Panchayat Bhawan, Community Centre, Resource Centre,

School and hospitals over raised grounds.

(iii) Strengthning of PHC/HSC/SH


(iv) Insurance cover for flood damages.

(v) Mandatory storage of food/ fuel/fooder at strategic points.

(vi) Creation of flood rescues brigade at Block/District level and

their capacity building.

(vii) Constitution of disaster management team at Panchayat

level. Their training to respond to any emergency during

flood.

(viii) Deployment of full-proof early warning system.

7. Real-time emergency measures:

(i) Accurately apprehending the danger to lives and property

before time- based on mathematical modeling.

(ii) Activate the early warning system.

(iii) Help-out in shifting to safer place.

(iv) Activate voluntary organizations, flood rescue brigade for

rescuing the marooned population to a nearer flood relief

camps.

8. Post flood Normalcy restoration and Damage control.

(i) Check out the entire C.D. works and try to make it

functional.

(ii) Check out all along the flood protection embankment for any

seepage or overtopping and control it as early as possible.

(iii) Attend the bank erosion near valuable public or private

property.

(iv) Deploy boats, fiber boats, motor boats etc. to reach out to

marooned areas with supply of emergency medicines, and

other relief materials.

(v) After the flood recedes, monitor the spread of any epidemic

and rush to the spot as and when it out-breaks.

(vi) Establish all other disruptions to its normalcy.


Dr. T. Prasad

Former Principal, NIT, Patna & General Secretary

Bihar Association for Sustainable Development of Water and Other Natural Resources

L E A D P A P E R

1. Introduction :

The recent floods in Bihar are yet another grim reminder of how

vulnerable North Bihar is to recurrent damages, destructions,

disruptions and devastations due to floods. On account of this

vulnerability, the teeming millions of North Bihar seem to be cursed

with living in perpetual poverty, or at least on a low level economy.

This is paradoxically sad in view of the fact that North Bihar has high

agropotentiality as it is endowed with one of the most fertile tracts of

land, congenial agroclimate for year round agriculture to sustain at least

three crops, ample water both on the surface as well as subsurface, to

meet all crop water requirements for all crop seasons, and large

manpower steeped in the culture of agriculture. This situation obtains

inspite of what has been done in the past, particularly during the last

five decades, to deal with the problem of foods and other water related

issues. In fact, the magnitude of damages, destructions, disruptions and

devastations and consequent human miseries seem to have rather

increased, leading us to surmise and suspect whether this increase is

because of our omissions and commissions during the period. It is

therefore high time to take a serious look at whether we have been on

right tracks in dealing with the problem of floods afflicting North Bihar

and baffling us all.


For this, we must first look at the factors and nature of North Bihar

floods.

2. Factors of North Bihar Floods:

Annually recurrent floods in North Bihar are caused by a combination of

the following natural factors.

2.1. Hydrometeorlogical :

The North Bihar region has single monsoon climate in which

85% to 90% of annual rainfall takes place in four months, 15 June

to 15 October, from southwest monsoon, concentrated mostly in

July and August. Also, the rainfall is mostly of orographic

nature, resulting in varying magnitudes, decreasing from an

average annual rainfall of 300 cm in the Himalayan and sub

Himalayan zones to that of 120 cm in the North Bihar plains.

2.2. Hydrological and Geomorphological:

The hydrological process of transformation of precipitation in

the catchment to flows in the river takes place mostly in the

upper parts of the basin. On an average, 50% to 85% of basins of

all North Bihar rivers lie in upper parts, mostly in Nepal.

Also, the Himalayas are considered geologically young

mountain ranges, having friable slopes. Silt eroded by rainfall

impact is transported by the river system, to be deposited in the

pains, causing their formation and finally carried to the

receiving ocean causing delta formation at the mouth.

2.3. Topographical and Hydraulic :

The upper parts of the basins of North Bihar rivers, lying partly

in Tibet and mostly in Nepal, have very steep gradients as they

fall in Himalayan and sub Himalayan zones, while the lower


parts lying partly in Nepal and mostly in North Bihar are plains

having very mild gradients. The change of gradients from very

steep to very mild in the same basin takes place in a relatively

small distance from the Himalayas and sub Himalayas to the

river Ganga into which all the North Bihar rivers fall. This has

distinct implication for the hydraulics of flow of North Bihar

rivers. While the carrying capacities of these rivers in their upper

parts, receiving higher precipitation, are rather high, they get

substantially reduced on coming to the plains in North Bihar

and hence during high flows they hydraulically need to

inundate these plains for their temporary dynamic storage.

3. Characteristics of North Bihar Floods :

In view of the above-mentioned causative physical factors, the North

Bihar floods have the following distinct characteristics.

3.1 Seasonality :

North Bihar floods take place in the season when the south-west

monsoons in this region are active. While the nominal period of

south-west monsoons in this region is reckoned to be mid June

to mid October, the active period is during the months of July

and August when most of North Bihar floods occur.

3.2 Graduality :

The flows of North Bihar floods comprise two hydrologically

distinct and substantial components, (i) base flow representing

snowmelt and groundwater excretion and (ii) surface flow

resulting from the processes of transformation of rainfall to

runoff and propagation of flows down the river. On account of

these factors and features, the rises and falls of flood flows in


North Bihar rivers and consequent inundation and receding are

rather gradual.

3.3 Repetitiveness :

The changes in flood flows in North Bihar rivers during the

flood season occur dominantly on account of changes in their

surface runoff components, which primarily reflect rainfall.

Hences flood occurrences in North Bihar during a flood season

are repetitive due to several spells of rainfall occurrences during

the south-west monsoon.

3.4 High Silt Content :

As the river flows causing floods in North Bihar are contributed

largely from runoff in the upper mountainous and sub-

mountainous catchments of the friable Himalayas, they contain

high silt loads whose characteristics vary from catchment to

catchment . This has distinct implications for dealing with the

problem of floods caused by various rivers in North Bihar.

3.5 Predictiveness

The hydrologic, hydraulic and geomorphologic processes

leading to occurrences of floods, such as snow melt,

transformation of rainfall to runoff, overland and channel flows

in surface runoff, groundwater discharge, propagation of flows

down the rivers, spilling of the banks and inundation of flood

plains are fairly well understood and hence are predictive. At

the present stage of technology, there is some degree of

uncertainty in the climatic and hydrometeorological factors of

floods. On the whole, it may be said that the North Bihar floods

are largely predictive, particularly in view of modern tools and


techniques, such as remote sensing, satellite mapping and

mathematical modeling.

4. Nature of Flood Damages

As indicated earlier, damages from the normal events of floods in North

Bihar occur primarily on account of an essential conflict between the

nature and the mankind in the use of the flood plains which are most

fertile tracts of land and, coupled with other agro-congenial factors, hold

high agro-potential. On account of this, it has acquired a high density of

population which dominantly depends upon agriculture and allied

activities for their livelihood. This, in turn, makes it necessary for these

plains to be used for habitations, transport (roads and railways),

communications, trade, commerce and allied industries. Hence, these

activities and associated facilities are prone to be interfered with,

damaged and destroyed by the flood events. Omissions and

commissions of mankind in carrying out their activities and creating and

operating the associated measures and facilities further accentuate such

interferences, damages and destructions. As these activities and

facilities relate to and have direct impact on the life and day to day

living of the inhabitants, the flood occurrences cause human miseries,

apart from economic loss. As the flood occurrences are recurrent in the

region, its inhabitants are condemned to perpetual poverty, or at least to

low level economy. Apart from human miseries, this is the most

significant flood damage inflicted on this region as long as it remains

subject to recurrent floods.

5. Appraisal of Current Strategy of Flood Management :

The current strategy of flood management adopted in North Bihar must

be appraised in light of the above-mentioned facts, factors and features

of North Bihar floods. As is well known, embankments have almost

exclusively been relied upon o provide flood protection. About 3500 km


of embankments have been constructed in the post-plan period i.e., in

the last 5 decades. Before that, except for some zamindari embankments,

there were practically no embankments in North Bihar. In the post

embankment period, flood prone areas have increased by more than 2½

times and the flood damages have increased by more than 4 times.

Frequency of disruptions in transport and communications and the

intensity of human miseries have similarly registered a substantial

increase rather than any decrease during the period.

Such a stark anomaly in the effect and impacts of embankments and

their counter-effectiveness can be well understood on viewing the flood

occurrence in its scientific framework and the role of embankments in

the framework. The flood occurrences take place in the plains due to a

combination of several basin-bound natural processes such as, (i) snow

melt in the upper mountainous parts of the basin which starts much

earlier, (ii) incidence of rainfalls in the whole basin, with higher

intensities in its upper part, (iii) consequent soil erosion, mostly in the

upper parts of the basin, and transport of silt through the natural

network of channels in the basin, (iv) transformation of rainfall to runoff

and formation of flood flows, mostly in the upper part of the basin,

(v) propagation of silt-laden flood flows down the river, from its steeper

gradients in the upper mountainous and sub-mountainous part to the

much milder gradients in the lower part of plains (vi) exceedance of

hydraulic carrying capacity of the river in the lower part and over

spilling the river banks, and finally (vii) inundation of the flood plains

by the silt laden flood flows. Thus, North Bihar floods occur finally as a

consequence of the seventh process, which is contributed to and caused

by the preceding six processes. Out of these processes, the first two i.e.,

snowmelt and rainfall depend on climatic and atmospheric factors

which at the present stage of technology are hardly amenable to human


control and manipulation. All the other five flood producing processes

can be modified, regulated and controlled to various extents by man-

made measures.

In this framework of flood related natural processes, embankments seek

to control the seventh and the last process, i.e. inundation of the flood

plains by the over spilt silt-laden flood flows. This is, to say it mildly,

too simplistic and rather a crude method to deal with a complex natural

phenomenon. Metaphorically, this is like treating a disease by trying to

control its symptoms, rather than diagnosing it and treating its causative

factors; or like fighting the forces of the enemy at the last most

vulnerable battle front when these forces have marched emboldened by

lack of any resistance or interception at the preceding fronts.

Consequently, while the success of our attempt becomes doubtful and

debatable, its adverse consequences may be quite serious rendering the

measure counter productive and even counter effective.

Embankments lead to three distinctly adverse consequences having

wide spread ruinous impact. First, embankments are essentially anti-

drainage measures, which impede the drainage function of rivers. The

embanked rivers are rendered unable to drain the catchment area of the

embanked reaches of the river, causing prolonged waterlogging and

rainwater submergence in the area purported to be protected from

floods. Secondly, embankments cause rather rapid, systematic

aggradation of the river bed and the banks lying between the left and

the right embankments. This results in progressive reduction in the

carrying capacity of the embanked river, causes water logging of the

overlying area behind the embankments through seepage and

necessitates raising of the embankments to provide the same degree of

protection. Thirdly, the embankments become with time increasingly

prone to breaches due to various factors. In the event of these breaches,


flood flows gushing through the breached sections become more

destructive and devastative. Thus, the embankments serve to alter the

characteristic of graduality and gentleness of flood flows of North Bihar

rivers into fury and ferocity of floods.

The experience of embankments in North Bihar during the past decades

as well as that of recent floods amply testifies to these adverse

consequences of embankments.

6. Rational Approach to Resolution of the Flood Problem

In order to develop a rational approach to a sustainable solution of the

flood problem afflicting North Bihar, it is first of all necessary to view

the phenomena of floods in their comprehensive hydrological regime,

both in space and time, and not as a local isolated problem. Similarly,

the resolution of the flood problem is not only to mitigate or even

obviate the flood damages but to resolve it in such a way that the

scourge of poverty inflicted on the region due to recurrent occurrences

of floods is banished and the people inhabiting the region are assured

the commensurate benefits due to excellent endowment of natural

resources such as most fertile lands, ample water and congenial

agroclimate. These resources coupled with large manpower, steeped in

the culture of agriculture, of this region constitute a veritable

prescription for a highly productive agriculture. According to one

tentative estimate, returns from agriculture and related sectors can

potentially be enhanced at least ten times based on the natural resources

of the region and the available technology. This prospect can be realized

only if the water resources are suitably managed such that, on the one

hand, water resources related problems such as floods, drought and

water logging are solved and, on the other, water resources are

comprehensively utilized to secure multiple benefits such as irrigation,

hydropower and inland water transport. A universally recognized and


acclaimed approach eminently suited for the purpose is integrated water

resources management (IWRM). Several. dimensions are incorporated

and taken into account in this approach physical (hydrologic,

hydrometeorologic, hydrogeologic, land use, soil, topography, geologic,

hydraulic), economic, political, legal, social, environmental and ecologic.

For example, for dealing with the flood problem, various interventions

affecting different processes contributing to the flood phenomena are

considered and for each intervention, its impact on all concerned

dimensions are taken into account in order to arrive at an optimal

solution to the flood problem. Also, it is to be ensured that solution to

the flood problem is achieved in consistence with other water resource

related problems such as agricultural drought, waterloging and

drainage as well as with utilization of water resources comprehensively

for various purposes such as for irrigation, hydro electricity, industrial

and domestic uses, inland water transport, environmental and ecological

security and even recreation and tourism.

Only such an approach based on the well accepted concept and principle

of integrated water resources management will lead to a effective and

sustainable solution of the flood problems afflicting North Bihar and

Eastern U.P. For integrated water resources management, one cardinal

requirement is that planning for development, management and multi-

purpose utilizations of water resources shall have to be done basin-wise.

A basin is a scientific and hydrologic spatial unit of water resources and

cannot, and must not, be disregarded. The much talked about inter-basin

or intra-basin linking of rivers can be rationally justified and considered

only through basin-wise planning. In case of North Bihar, 50% to 85% of

the basins of its major rivers (Mahananda, Kosi, Kamla, Bagmati, Burhi

Gandak, Gandak and Ghaghra) lie outside India, mostly in Nepal. Also

the parts of basins lying in Nepal are invariably upstream having steep


gradient, higher precipitation both in the forms of rainfall and snow fall,

and erodible slopes. Thus, the approach of integrated water resources

management can be adopted only with co-operation of the two principal

co-basin nations, Nepal and India. Secondly, we must accept that a dam

is an important engineering measure to facilitate management as well as

multi-purpose utilizations of water resources and there is no worth-

while alternative to it. Suitable sites for dams on all major North Bihar

rivers lie only in their upper catchments in Nepal.

Thus, imperativeness of dams and of Indo-Nepal co-operation has to be

accepted without any reservations by all having concern for the human

miseries recurrently inflicted on the teeming millions of North Bihar as

well as for banishing poverty of the entire region. Fortunately, this

imperativeness is no problem and is highly prospective. For example,

apart from flood control, irrigation and other benefits, all the feasible

dams in Nepal can provide at least 50,000 MW of hydropower which is

renewable, cleaner and cheaper than from other conventional sources

like fossil fuels and nuclear. There is ready market for this in India, apart

from meeting all energy requirements of Nepal.

6.1 Dams in Nepal:

In the context of North Bihar floods, the question of dams in

Nepal is often brought up with misgivings, objections and even

infeasibility. It will be worthwhile to deal with them even

briefly at this point in order to put the current discussion on

North Bihar floods in perspective. First, the question of dams

should come up, not specifically or exclusively in the context of

permanent solution to the recurrent problem of floods in North

Bihar, but rather for development, management and multi-

purpose utilizations of water resources of basins shared by

Nepal and India for their mutual benefits.


Secondly, the questions of seismicity and siltation regarding

dams in the Himalayan zone are relevant and valid but are

hardly prohibitive. These are standard questions to be suitably

dealt with in planning and design of dams. The question of

displacement of people involved in construction of dams is

universal and is not specific to dams in Nepal. There is a

growing awareness and sensitivity of human aspects involved

and must be duly taken care of.

6.2 Indo-Nepal Co-operation :

Indo-Nepal co-operation, which is imperative for integrated

water resources management of the shared river basins is highly

prospective for two main reasons. One, the benefits that will

accrue to both is immense. Without this co-operation, both will

be denied these immense benefits. There is tremendous

mutuality and complementarity, with hardly any conflict, of

interest in such co-operation. In fact, it is a classic global win-

win situation.

In spite of such high prospect, Indo-Nepal co-operation has not

yet come about in full measure with alacrity that the situation

demands and deserves for a variety of reasons. It may be a

worthwhile exercise to identify and analyze these reasons

objectively and dispassionately so that misperceptions,

misunderstanding and myths may not rule the roost in this

matter of vital concern for large masses of people of this region

suffering poverty and miseries. While such an exercise cannot be

taken up in detail in this deliberation, it may be in order to bring

out some broad points.


In the matter of Indo-Nepal co-operation for development,

management and multipurpose utilizations of water resources of

the shared river basins entailing construction of dams in Nepal,

there are three concerned parties, the Govt. of India, the Govt. of

Nepal and the Govts. of concerned states, U.P. and Bihar,

primarily Bihar which has a larger and more critical stake in the

matter. The Govt. of Nepal should be interested in this co-

operation because it is a sine qua non for its economic

emancipation and rightful prosperity. Water resources and

suitable sites for dams constitute Nepal's greatest resource

which can be transformed into wealth by construction of dams,

generation of huge hydro electricity and selling it to India. This

essentially requires India's co-operation. The Govt. of Bihar

should be concerned in this co-operation as without it, the

people of North Bihar cannot be relieved from its recurrent

sufferings and its high agropotential will remain unrealized. The

Govt. of India should be interested in this as it is of vital concern

to large masses of its people living in its poorest region which is

blessed with excellent natural resources for highly productive

agriculture. It is in view of these resources that it is projected

that the second green revolution in India can come only from its

eastern region in order to achieve a quantum jump in the

stagnating national annual agricultural production. This cannot

happen without necessary water resources management

including flood control, for which Indo-Nepal co-operation is

essential. The Govt. of India has constitutional responsibility and

role to play in bringing about this co-operation and being by far

the larger nation than Nepal, it has to lake a leading role in an

enlightened manner.


Unfortunately, the three parties do not seem to have moved in

the matter with positive motivations as indicated above,

resulting in negative perceptions and experiences. The Govt. of

India feels that Nepal, under the advice of foreign consultants, is

being unreasonable and intransigent in the negotiations. On the

other hand, the Govt. of Nepal feels that the Govt. of India is

indifferent, plays the big brother role and Nepal gets a short

shrift in the matter. The Govt. of Bihar feels that it can only play

a passive role in the matter for which the Govt. of India has the

primary responsibility.

This scenario regarding Indo-Nepal co-operation has to change.

It has to move from the current situation of despair and

despondency to that of vibrancy and optimism. India and Nepal

are bound to each other by several bonds such as bonds of

geography, history and culture. But most of all, they are bound

to each other by hydrology. This hydrological bond is, in fact,

the most prospective of all other bonds as it can be worked to

the immense benefits to the peoples of both the countries with

the aid of available technology. Indo-Nepal co-operation must

be viewed in this perspective and all concerned must play their

roles accordingly. In order to ensure and facilitate this, the

following two missing or dormant elements need to be

activated.

Involvement of people: So far the people who are either direct

sufferers or are potential direct beneficiaries have been silent

and passive regarding Indo-Nepal co-operation and its

significance for their problems and prospects. They have to be

made aware and educated about how Indo-Nepal co-operation

can bring about not only relief from their recurrent sufferings


but also legitimate prosperity. With such awareness and

education, they can motivate their governments to move

positively in the mater with a sense of urgency. The issue will

thus gain political expediency which the governments

concerned can hardly ignore.

Role of science: The matter of Indo-Nepal co-operation has so far

been dealt with more in the political framework than in the light

of relevant science. In this framework, extraneous factors tend to

influence decision making, leading to unnecessary delays and

bottlenecks. If science and knowledge are brought into full play

in decision making, the matter will move more expeditiously.

It may not be out of place to emphasize that the Govt. of Bihar

has the primary concern in bringing about Indo-Nepal

cooperation in full measure. Of all the states of India, only Bihar

has the most direct stake in this. Although the Govt. of India has

the responsibility, as per our constitution, to formally negotiate

with the Govt. of Nepal, it cannot be expected to have the same

intensity of concern in the matter. Bilateral issues get national

concern only if they are related to defense. A bilateral issue

related to the sufferings of people and development of a

backward region may not capture national concern and priority.

The Govt. of Bihar has to sensitize and motivate the Govt. of

India through not only official channels but also politically and

otherwise.

7. Concluding Remarks and Outlook:

In view of the experiences of the recent floods playing havoc in North

Bihar as well those of the past years; it should be amply clear that we

have not been on the right tracks in dealing with the flood problems


afflicting North Bihar. The inadequacy and utter inappropriateness of

embankments as an exclusive measure adopted for flood management

in North Bihar can be understood by viewing the phenomenon of floods

in its comprehensive hydrologic framework and the various hydrologic,

geomorphologic and hydraulic processes culminating in inundation of

the flood pains. As these plains are used for habitation and various

economic and other activities, such inundation affects the life and living

of the teeming millions inhabiting these plains. In view of the causative

natural factors, the floods occur recurrently in North Bihar, condemning

its inhabitants to recurrent miseries and perpetual poverty in spite of

high agropotentiality of the region due to fertile land, ample water,

congenial agroclimate and large manpower.

The rational approach to a sustainable solution of the problem of

recurrent occurrences of floods in North Bihar is integrated water

resources management which requires basin-wise planning for

development, management and multi-purpose utilizations of water

resources. As the basins of all North Bihar rivers are shared by India and

Nepal with the later being upper riparian, Indo-Nepal co-operation is

imperative for this. Such co-operation is highly prospective as immense

benefits will accrue to both the co-basin nations with hardly any conflict

of interests. Also, dams will have to be necessarily constructed in Nepal

for such integrated water resources management and they are

technically feasible. In spite of such high prospect for Indo-Nepal co-

operation, this has not yet come about in full measure. This is so as the

three concerned parties i.e., the Govt. of India, the Govt of Nepal and the

Govt. of Bihar have been deficient in effort for various reasons. While

there are highly positive factors for each of them to go for it, they have

dragged their feet on unsubstantive matters. Two missing elements need

to be brought into the co-operation movement to give it the needed


momentum, involvement of the peoples who are present sufferers and

future beneficiaries and the role of science which has been presently

relegated to the back seat, to provide the light of knowledge in place of

the heat of politics.

Most of all, it is the Bihar Govt. which has to play a proactive active role

in the movement. First of all, it is high time for it to get disillusioned

with embankments as any solution, temporary, intermediate or

otherwise, to the problem of floods in North Bihar. It has to be

convinced that integrated water resources management entailing

construction of dams in Nepal, among other measures, is not only a

sustainable solution of floods but a prescription for prosperity for the

region endowed with excellent natural resources. Floods cannot be

prevented nor can damages resulting from them be effectively contained

when they occur. The only scientific way to deal with floods is to

transform them into a boon for development which this region direly

needs and deserves. The Govt. of Bihar has to shed its inertia and move

in the matter with this conviction.


Prof. S. M. Raza

Chairman, GPSCDMRD & Former Vice Chancellor

We are discussing whether we have been following the right track in

tackling the flood problem in Bihar. We have been witnessing the flood

very frequently and often its devastation gets more serious. It is time

that people from cross section of society should sit together and find the

measures where corrections are needed in tackling a pre or post-flood

problems. I feel, there is still scope to find out new ways and those

gathered here will certainly enlighten us from their experience. For a

long time we have been hearing the necessity of a dam on upper reach,

but since it is to be done in a foreign country (Nepal), now we should

concentrate on the possibility of doing maximum thing in the plains to

mitigate sufferings of the rural masses.


Dr. Rajan Sinha Director, Prof. G. P. Sinha Centre for Disaster Management and Rural Development

Since I have for long, been associated with disaster management issues I

feel there are several areas which require fresh attention. While

documenting the devastating flood of 2004, I stumbled upon some new

data on the pattern of rain fall. Bihar is a seriously flood affected zone

and therefore, it could be a ready reference for those who work on the

actual site.

The rainfall was found to be very erractic as there was more than normal

rain in the months of June and July, ironically the rainfall was deficient

in the months of August and September. Overall, in four months (June-

September) the total rainfall fell into deficient category. I therefore, feel

that the change in rainfall pattern could be a paramount importance for

tracking the progress in flood management. More, the alluvial soil is a

boon for us.


Sri Mithilesh Kumar Ex.-Principal Secretary to Governor of Bihar

While sharing our views on whether we are on right track or not, we

should also look within whether we are serious enough on the issue.

We are often crying over Nepal to be won over on the issue of

construction of dam in the upper reach but we will also have to see what

we have done or doing in our portion of the land. If we make Nepal

agree to that point, the immediate question will arise whether we shall

be ready to compensate the vast land that might be waterlogged due to

the project in Nepal.

Moreover, the issue of Bihar flood could not be seen in isolation.

The government of India will have to look on its own rivers and then not

only Nepal but China and Bangladesh will also come into the picture.

That‟s why I said, things could not be taken up in isolation and requires

broader term of thinking. Of course, erosion and water logging in Bihar

plains require some serious approach.


Er. K. N. Lal

Engineer-in-Chief (Retd.), WRD, Govt. of Bihar

We lost one opportunity of constructing a dam in Nepal in early 1950 for

the reason that we didn‟t find the utilization of over 1800 MW of power

that was likely to be generated from the dam on Nepal side. Only

recently a team of World Bank had visited Bihar and found that India

lacked because some of states like Bihar has not progressed. Flood has

been one of the main causes of backwardness of Bihar.

Well, it is understandable that Nepal being a foreign country we have

limitations but in that situation state government must choose a thrust

area. It is time that we should have integrated plan in combating the

menace of flood. We can construct our own structure in Burhi Gandak to

lessen the flood fury atleast in districts of Champaran, Sitamarhi and

Khagaria. My experience suggests that forest Act has proved a big

stumbling block in taking up several anti-flood measures. As a result of

this the proposed Massan dam in Burhi Gandak could not be a reality.

I do not agree that embankment is not necessary, in fact it has helped us

much in controlling flood fury in Kosi region. It would be very pertinent

to note the suggestions forwarded by the former President Sri A. P. J.

Abdul Kalam when he suggested storing of as much water as possible in

underground. And this can be experimented in the paths of Kosi,

Begmati and Kamla rivers.


Er. R. S. P. Singh

Treasurer, Bihar Pensioner Samaj

India receives 4000 billion cubic water every year from sources like rain

or snow melting. But unfortunately we have been able to harness water

to the tune of 273 billion cubic meter only. Rest 3727 billion cubic water

completely goes in waste or say we have not been able to utilize good

amount of the rest of the available water. Likewise in Mokama tal which

spreads in 1 lakh hectre chaur (low lying area) area, when an effort was

made to provide embankment in some stretch the people said „chaur‟ is

not a bane rather beneficial for them.

The points that are required to be considered are (a) allowing safe

passage of water without affecting settlements or crops and (b) at the

same time making arrangement to store the water for uses in need for

irrigation or during drought. There is no third way out from flood and

therefore, we should construct a series of reservoir. Since Ganga is

mother of all rivers, we must consider the possibilities of inter linking of

rivers.


Prof. Rajmani Prasad Sinha

Former Vice Chancellor, LNMU & Prof. Deptt. of Physics, Patna Science College, Patna

There has been a lot of talk on damages caused by flood and lack of

initiatives in taking up the matter with Nepal for upper catchment

treatment but little progress has been made on our side. First of all, Bihar

immediately needs an Institute for Disaster Management where research

and analysis work, latest technology and new courses could be started.

Secondly, if not on bigger scale, riverwise plan could also be initiated,

say on Bagmati. When we talk of flood as a problem in Bihar, then other

partners like Assam, Bangladesh and Nepal should be kept in mind for

an integrated approach.

Er. Krishna Kumar Advisor and Consultant, Flood Management & Poverty alleviation

The recent increase in the fury of flood has exposed the ongoing conflict

going on between the mankind and the nature. The more we try to play

with the „naturality‟ we are bound to suffer more and more. And this

has been done by massive defforestation in the upper reach giving water

a fast run off in the plains and at the same time carrying heavy load of

siltation. He noted with concern the changing course of rivers and said

that Kosi alone traversed through (swing) 140 km between Purnia and

Saharsa. Presently this swing has been encompassed in studs and

embankments. I do not agree that construction of embankments has

aggravated the problem.


Prof. Santosh Kumar Ex.-Professor, NIT, Patna

I have my own belief that engineers in Bihar are a frustrated lot because

they have been overpowered by IAS men. I would mention one such

meeting where in a 60- minute deliberation, the Secretary of Department

consumed 55 minutes leaving only 5 minutes for the experts to speak on

the subject. What I mean to say that one must give more ear to

technocrats.

It has become pertinent to open an exclusive Water Resources

Engineering University so that we could come out with an army of

human resources (HR) having special concern on water management

and study. The demand is not exaggareted because Bihar has to depend

heavily on abundance of water available to it. China has already done it.

We are very much happy that Bihar has got a technical minded (an

engineer) Chief Minister who would go inside the problem.


Prof. R. K. Sinha

Deptt. of Zoology, Patna University

Kosi is one of the biggest silt bearing river. It is necessary to tackle

siltations in Kosi, Gandak and Bagmati rivers. We can consider a dam in

Nepal but this is also true that it is not the easiest thing to do. There is no

siltation problem in Karnali in the Western region of Nepal. We often

fall in wrong argument that everytime Nepal releases heavy amount of

water, it causes deluge in Bihar. This is not true, Nepal has not chained

water but what if it release the water in case a dam is built there, he

questioned. So, we must not merely sing about the need of dam but also

consider the likely amount to be spent on it, sharing of the same and

most importantly the likely area that Nepalese would be devoid due to

the project. It may cause upheaval there.

But the stark reality is that Himalayan region has fast turned into a

treeless chunk bringing more miseries to us. So, presently, for flood

management we should work on reducing the rate of siltation and at the

same time find the place for dam in Nepal which will cause minimum

damage there.


Dr. (Ms). Bharti S. Kumar

HOD, Deptt. of History, PU

At the one hand the severity of flood is increasing every ear making it

very difficult to launch relief and rehabilitation in a co-ordinated

manner. Delay in these efforts often lead to violence and their anger

against the government machinery is increasing day by day. That we are

discussing “if we are on right tracks in dealing with the problem”, this in

itself suggests that all is not well. I am sorry to say that we are in 60

years of independence and we are still talking about minimizing the

effect of flood. Our preparedness is always under scanner. It seems no

body is ready to fight out the corruption which has assumed alarming

proportion due to bureaucrats politician engineer – contractor nexus.

Prof. K. P. Singh

HOD, Personnel Management and Industrial Relations & Rural Management Deptt. PU.

The poor work culture has led to more mismanagement of flood.

The problem is that we are not diagnosing some serious problems in

right direction. All the parties – policy makers, politicians, help

provider- should do home work. Managing people of target in efficient

manner is the real management. Miseries should not be a source of

corruption. Like the water in Bihar which comes from upper reach,

corruption also travels from upside and reaches downwards, so check it

at the source.


Er. Ravi Shankar Sinha

Chief Engineer (Retd.), Govt. of Bihar

It was because of the fact that Kosi maintained swinging nature, an

embankment was constructed there in 1958. Unlike other places, free

board on the embankments were provided upto 10 feet. But it was then

also predicted that if a dam is not constructed the present embankment

may become a cause of concern. And it happened that in 1984 heavy

erosion took place inside the bank of embankments. We may agree that

embankment is not a lasting solution but it certainly provides protection

in short term.

Ms. Zoolekha Hashmat (M.Phil) Deptt. Of Geography, Patna University Research Scholar, Doing Research on floods in North Bihar in reference to sustainable development of the state

Bihar flood is a perennial problem and causes extensive damages in a

large part of Bihar. The topography is as such that we can‟t prevent

flood totally but then flood management should get top priority and

preparedness in case of flood should be better. The problem is so

enormous that is requires documentation of different aspects so that

sustainable development could be undertaken for the revival of

tottering rural economy.


Er. M.U.Ghani Retd. Chief Engineer, Central Water Commission, GOI

Some people don‟t understand the necessity and effectiveness of

dredging river bed but dredging in 100 km downstream and 50 kms in

upstream in river Ganga has proved successful for the carrying and

discharge of water in Farakka river.

He revealed that nearly Rs. 3000 crore has been provided for raising and

strengthening of embankments in Gandak, Kosi and Adhwara group of

rivers. In Kamala alone, water overtopped at 12 places suggesting large

siltation in river bed. Erosion is another area where massive work is

required to be done. Since we have failed to reach any agreement with

Nepal, the Government of India and Bihar are more emphasizing on

embankment.

As for interlinking of river, I do not find that this is going to benefit

anyway.


Dr. A. K. Sinha Secretary, National Rural Development Society

I have been working with the rural masses and what I have realized is

that there is complete lack of co-operation among the rural, water

resources and forest departments. As a result works like earth filling

and construction of raised platforms are delayed. An important

programme like NAREDA has not taken off in Bihar as perspective

plans could be prepared for 8 districts only, that too in two years. Top

bureaucrats of the respective departments will have to act in

coordination.

discussion group on floods in bihar - … discussion group on “are we on the right track in...

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