Church aids Bihar flooding victims: 2 million people displaced

More than 2 million people have been forced from their homes and about 250,000 houses destroyed by floods in Bihar, according to official sources.

One of the worst floods in 50 years, the torrential rains killed more than 1,000 people in South Asia since the monsoon began in June. The death toll in the state of Bihar alone rose to 42 after 12 more villagers drowned in swirling waters.

As usual, Churches and Christian NGO's were quick and dedicated in helping the flood victims.

Father Joseph Moses, pastor of Sakhua parish, who is engaged in relief work, told UCA News that they are using boats to bring beaten rice, corn and other items to the affected villagers. "Army helicopters sometimes drop food packets," he reported, but he did not think these were enough for the flood victims.

The Kosi river in Bihar, one of India's poorest regions, has broken its mud embankments in several places. The river also broke a dam in neighboring Nepal, worsening the floods, Bihar officials said.

Apart from the locals, the flood has also severely affected the Christian mission centers and several parishes.

According to Father Maria Selvam, director of Muzaffarpur diocese's Social Service Centre, the floods have trapped seven parishes and half a dozen mission centers of the diocese.

Despite being in trouble, the priests and nuns are mobilizing to help people with whatever they have, he added.

Sneha Dham, a Christian leprosy care center in Madhepura district which houses over 60 leprosy patients was severely affected by the rains. Plastic bags have been stitched to cover the roof to shelter the patients, said a spokesperson for the organisation.

Local people call the Koshi the "Sorrow of Bihar" for its regular floods and ability to quickly change course. Thousands of people in the state have taken refuge on embankments, roads and mounds.

"The Kosi river has changed its course and nearly 20–25 lakh (2–2.5 million) people of the areas have been affected," Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of the state, said after an aerial survey of the flood situation.

Monsoon season, which lasts from June to September in India, brings inevitable massive destruction. Floods, mudslides, house collapses and lightning strikes have killed at least 700 people across the country so far this year.

Last year, floods in eastern India and Bangladesh killed around 2,000 people.