Opposition leaders question Bihar's response to devastating floods (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has questioned the BJP-led government's response to the recurring flood crisis in Bihar. He said floods affect millions of people in the state every year.
In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said floods had once again caused widespread destruction across the state. He said that several villages submerged and reports of deaths and missing people.
"Floods have once again struck Bihar with devastating force. Millions of people are affected, hundreds of villages are submerged. There are reports of several deaths and people missing. My deepest condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones," he said.
Rahul Gandhi questioned what the BJP's "double-engine government" had done over the past 17 years to tackle the recurring flood problem. He said people needed a lasting solution instead of being provided relief and assurances every year.
"The most heartbreaking thing is that this crisis in Bihar is not new. Every year, floods come, deaths occur, families are shattered, and people are forced to migrate. The BJP's double-engine government should tell us—what has it done in the last 17 years to address this annual tragedy? What has changed on the ground? The people of Bihar do not need relief and assurances every year; they need a permanent solution," Gandhi said.
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also attacked the state government over the flood situation, alleging that farmers whose crops were destroyed by heavy rainfall had not received compensation.
"Bihar is facing floods, and when heavy rain destroyed many farmers' crops, they did not receive compensation. BJP people do not want the good of Bihar. The state is now running on debt. Inflation, unemployment, poverty and crime are at their peak," Tejashwi Yadav told the media.
Independent MP Pappu Yadav also questioned the relief measures in flood-hit Bihar, claiming that several essential facilities were unavailable in affected areas of Chhapra.
He demanded Rs 5,000 crore in relief assistance from the Centre and said he had been in Chhapra for three days assessing the situation.
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"I have been in Chhapra for three days. There are no generators, no polythene sheets, no community kitchens, no medical facilities, and no hand pumps. Pappu Yadav had to provide a hundred hand pumps. I had to provide bathroom facilities and arrange for polythene sheets and generators. We had to install more than 50 generators along the embankment," Pappu Yadav told ANI.
"Where were the MPs and MLAs? The Centre is completely unaware," he added.
Pappu Yadav also compared Bihar's flood response with the handling of similar crises in other states and questioned what he described as the lack of adequate support for Bihar.
"When floods hit Assam, everyone stepped in to help. The government swung into action. When Punjab faced a crisis, all Punjabis helped. When floods hit Gujarat, all Gujaratis helped. Why not Bihar? Why are no Biharis stepping up? Why is there no government action? Why such hatred towards Biharis?" he said.
He demanded Rs 5,000 crore in relief assistance and sought action against contractors involved in irrigation-related projects.
"Provide Rs 5,000 crore as relief and blacklist Shriram Construction. Register an FIR against all the Irrigation Minister's contractors. The Irrigation Minister should resign," he said.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday directed the Disaster Management Department to ensure the timely delivery of relief materials to flood-affected and inaccessible areas of Saran district.
The state government, working with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence, conducted special air-dropping operations to reach areas where road connectivity had been disrupted by waterlogging and flooding.
According to the Chief Minister's Office, more than 28 tonnes of food supplies, including over 5,600 dry ration packets, were air-dropped in Saran through 15 sorties by Indian Air Force helicopters.
The Disaster Management Department and district administration are continuing to monitor the situation, while alternative modes of transport are being used alongside road routes to reach affected areas.
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The operation is being led by Group Captain Anuj Gupta and Wing Commander Vishal Khatri from Gorakhpur, Squadron Leader Rohit Dadarwal and Flight Lieutenant Kunal Kalamkar from Bagdogra, and Flight Lieutenant Rathore Bharat Singh from Bagdogra.
Choudhary thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force, saying relief and rescue operations were being conducted through coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments.
