Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has released ₹225 crore as financial assistance to families impacted by the recent floods, bringing much-needed relief to over 45 lakh people in the state. The fund disbursement is part of a larger ongoing relief operation to help those affected by two waves of devastating flash floods, which have severely impacted over 30 districts.
Last week, the Bihar government began distributing ₹7,000 to each flood-affected family, with the cumulative relief allocation now standing at ₹532.22 crore. The latest ₹225 crore installment comes as the state continues to prioritize relief efforts amid widespread devastation.
In addition to direct financial support to families, the government has pledged ₹590 crore in aid for farmers whose crops were destroyed during the floods. Crop losses have been estimated at ₹229 crore in the first flood wave, primarily caused by the rising Ganga, and ₹261 crore in the second wave, triggered by water discharges from rivers in Nepal.
The scale of the disaster has prompted both state and central authorities to take action. A high-level meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, reviewed ongoing flood mitigation efforts. The discussions focused on critical projects like the Kosi-Mechi Link, which aims to improve flood control, irrigation, and water supply in rural Bihar, along with other initiatives such as the Indrapuri Reservoir and Tilaiya-Dhadhar Diversion Scheme.
