Sanitary and drinking water issues worsened due to flood in Bihar
The unprecedented rain in Nepal during
the last 72 hours had made the situation of Bihar flood more critical affecting
3000+ villages and around 65 lakh of population. The whole battalion of
National Disaster Response Force has been set up for the expulsion of trapped
people in the districts of Purnia, Muzaffarpur, East and West Champaran,
Darbhanga, Kishanganj and Supaul.
In Kishanganj district, 1.75 feet
rainfall was recorded in the last 3 days due to the severe rainfall in Nepal
and Himalayan region. Death toll reaches to 162 with about 374 huts fully
damaged in the state. However, 185524 residents trapped were safely evacuated.
The central government is also taking brief info about the situation with the
state government and offering help as much as possible.
Various issues like sanitary problems
and drinking water supply has arouse due to the severe flood. In areas affected
by flooding, there is a risk that contaminated flood water can enter drinking
water pipes. There may also be interruptions in the water supply. Number of water treatment plants can be installed in the places like Forbesganj
and Jogbani where road connectivity has broken. People who get their water from
drinking water plants where flood water may have penetrated are advised to boil
all water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. Water from groundwater
systems, wells, streams, rivers or lakes may be contaminated. If the
municipality or water company has stated that the water is polluted, the water
must be boiled.