By Tarique Anwar, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Entire north Bihar region badly affected by the worst floods in the history of Bihar caused by several kilometres long breaches in the embankments of Kosi river near Indo-Nepal border on 18 August.
15 districts of Bihar have been hit by the impact of one of the worst floods in recent memory with the worst hit being Araria, Supaul, Madhepura and Saharsa.
With more rain falling in Nepal in the past 24 hours and major breach in the Kosi dams, flood situation in North Bihar further worsened on Tuesday as disaster struck the town of Madhepura inundating it with more than 2 feet of flood water forcing its residents to run for their lives.
Even as the army stepped up efforts to provide relief in the flood-hit regions, situation in Madhepura and Purnia remained grim and relief and rescue work anything but desirable with flood water fast spreading in other areas.
Alarmed by the rapid movement of water, the government on Tuesday issued red alert in many areas including Supaul, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura, Purnia, Raniganj, Narpatganj, Forbesganj, Barari, and Kursela with instruction to abandon the region within next 48 hours.
As per official report more than 15 lakh people have been reported affected by this year’s flood in the North Bihar with over 140 deaths confirmed though unofficial sources put this number as high as 400.
Millions of people are on the verge of being displaced from their lands, with hundreds of thousands fearing never to be able to return to the lands where they have spent their lifetime. Few helicopters are already air dropping food materials but it will not make much difference. Rapid actions should be taken to stop further damage and more boats needed to rescue those who are trapped for taking to safe area.
Many Muslim organizations like Imarat Shariah (Bihar, Jharkhand & Orissa), Jamat Islami Hind, Jamiatul Ulama-i-Hind, Ta’awun Trust etc. are engaged in flood relief works on war footing.
“We have sent five teams, 3 in Supaul, 1 in Araria and Madhepura districts, comprising three officials each who will provide relief works to the survivors with the help of local people. We are regularly updating the Chief Minister and district administration with the latest situation,” told Maulana Anisur Rahman Qausmi, general secretary, Imarat Shariah, while talking to TwoCircles.net.
He informed that they have established relief camps in five districts-Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Saharsa to collect relief material from the people. He alleged that the relief work from the government is not as fast as needed. The government will have to accelerate relief works otherwise victims will suffer from a great loss. Destructive flood have affected a population of more than 25 lakhs, he said. All of Supaul, except town area, most of the part of Madhepura and Araria districts are completely submerged in water.
The condition of Supaul district is the worse. Thousands of people have lost their homes and everything and are bound to stay on roads or other secure places. They have nothing to eat and drink. Almost 15-20 mosques swept away by the devastating floods.
Maulana Qausmi said that the air dropping is not and effective method of relief. The government should arrange boats to provide relief materials to the people personally. Aerial dropping of relief items is barely noticeable he said while accepting that the relief works by the government have become faster from today as per information received from their volunteers. Meanwhile, army moved in into Madhepura, Purnia, and Supaul on Wednesday to provide relief and rescue operation where several lakh people are stranded for last three days following breach in the Kusaha dam, said.
According to the Emergency Management Department officials, 10 motorboats, 145 boats were pressed into service in Supaul alone while 11 motorboats and 86 boats were engaged in rescuing people in Madhepura area.
The government has also deployed an additional force of 750 police officers, 900 Special Auxiliary Police (SAP), 1,350 Home Guard jawans, and 8 companies of Bihar Military Police to provide relief in the Kosi region.
He advised central as well as the state government to provide relief commodities to the victims so that their lives can be saved, leaving blame games on each other. All political parties should direct their workers to help in relief works on their levels. He also urged non governmental organizations (NGO) to come forward for relief works without any distinction of caste, creed and religion.
Imarat will call an urgent meeting of its officials and volunteers to overview the situation and to make its relief works more affective. He also appealed to the general people to donate in the form of dry foods, cloths, medicines and money for the relief works. People who want to send relief items and money for the holy sevice of mankind can contact to Imarat on the following numbers- 0612 2555351, 2555668, 2555495 and to him personally on +91 943 1432 702.
Talking to TwoCircles.net Maulana Qamrul Huda, president Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Bihar unit, said that the state unit has started relief and rescue works across the flood affected area. For this purpose, Asst. President of JIH Bihar, Mr Naiyaruz Zama along with a delegation, has visited the entire area through a boat. At present, Jamaat’s relief teams are working in more than 50 villages of affected districts and our workers are now engaged in relief and rescue works. Besides, several boats were provided to rescue and bring drowning peoples into relief camps.
Donations can be sent to the following organizations for Bihar flood relief:
IMARAT SHARIAH
Maulana Anisur Rahman Quasmi (Nazim)
Phulwari Sharif, Patna – 801505 Bihar, (India)
Phone: 0612 – 2555351, 2555668, 2555212
Fax: 91-612-2555280
Residence: 0612-2555495
Mobile: 09431432702
Email: [email protected]
http://www.imaratshariah.org
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
JIH seeks contributions in cash or be provided food, medicines, tents, and clothing etc. directly to our Bihar office or Head Quarters, on following addresses. Cheques or Drafts should be made in favour of:
Markaz Relief Fund Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, A/c No. 1447308475, Central Bank of India, New Delhi or Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Relief Work, A/c No. 331, UCO Bank, Patna Or transfer money to our above accounts through core banking and inform us through telephone.
JIH HQ: D-317, Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi-25, India.
Email: [email protected],
Tel: 91-11-26948341/ 26951409
JIH Bihar: Qamrul Huda, Bihar President, Patthar-Ki-Masjid (Stone Mosque), Patna, Bihar-06, India.
Tel:0612-2918128
Relief Camps Cells: 09430635095/ 09304269536.
Ta’awun Trust (FCRA approved)
State Bank of India, Zakir Nagar Branch, New Delhi-110025.
Account No. 10177189422 (for Foreign Donors)
10177189603 (for Indian Donors).
Address: 162, Jogabai Main Road, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025 (India)
Phones: 26987467, 26981187, 26989253
Email: [email protected]
http://www.taawuntrust.org/
Markazul Ma’arif (NGO)
For Foreign Contributions
(IMO, DD or WT is requested on the following)
“Markazul Ma’arif”
FCRA Registration No-020820031
Bank Account No.-11284630356
State Bank of India, Bank Branch Code-2065
Hojai. Distt. Nagaon, Assam (INDIA)
PIN – 782435
Markazul Ma’arif
For Foreign Contributions
(IMO, DD or WT is requested on the following)
“Markazul Ma’arif”
FCRA Registration No-020820031
Bank Account No.-11284630356
State Bank of India, Bank Branch Code-2065
Hojai. Distt. Nagaon, Assam (INDIA)
PIN – 782435
For Inland Contributions
(Cheque, DD or MO is requested on the following)
“Markazul Ma’arif”
A/C. No: 11284630334: State Bank of India, Hojai Branch (Code 2065), Assam
A/C. No: 11134426388: State Bank of India, Mandvi Branch (Code 0423) Mumbai
Donations are exempted under U/S 80G of the Income Tax Act of India.
Society Registration No. 187/1983-84