2007 Bihar flood

In a nutshell

The 2007 Bihar flood occurred in August 2007 in the east Indian state of Bihar. It was described by the United Nations as the worst flood in the living memory of Bihar. Although annual floods are common in Bihar, heavier than usual rainfall during the monsoon season that year led to increasing water levels. By 3 August, the estimated death toll was 41 people, and 48 schoolgirls were marooned in a school in the Darbhanga district. By 8 August, the flooding had impacted an estimated 10 million people in Bihar. Army helicopters delivered food packets to residents, and 180 relief camps were established. By 10 August, aid workers in Bihar reported a dramatic increase in people with diarrhea and by 11 August, flood-related deaths were still occurring. The total number of deaths recorded in the 2007 Bihar floods was more than 1,3050, the highest death toll in the state since the 1987 Bihar floods, in which more than 2,500 deaths were reported.

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Incident

The states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were the most affected due to their high population density. Nearly two million people, spread over eleven districts in Bihar, were affected by the floods. Many major rivers, including the Ganges, Punpun, Bagmati, Gandak, and Kosi, flowed above the danger mark.

Rainfall in July exceeded the monthly average over a 30-year period by a factor of five, leading to more than 40% of the state of Bihar being submerged. The town of Darbhanga and its surrounding areas were among the most severely affected locations in the state, and roads leading to other areas were rendered impassable by the flood. Many residents were forced to seek refuge on higher ground, while others were marooned and unable to access assistance.

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Incident

Affected areas

Impact

Response

Relief work

Assistance implemented

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