Floods in Bihar

Bihar is recognized as India's most flood-prone state, with approximately 76% of the population in North Bihar living under the persistent threat of severe flooding.^[1][2] Bihar makes up 16.5% of India's flood-affected area and contains 22.1% of India's flood-affected population.^[3] About 73.06% of Bihar's geographical area, 68,800 square kilometres (26,600 sq mi) out of 94,160 square kilometres (36,360 sq mi), is affected. Each year, floods kill many and damage livestock and other assets worth millions.^[4][2] In total, floods have claimed 9,500 lives since the government started publishing figures in 1979.^[5] North Bihar districts are vulnerable to at least five major flood-causing rivers during monsoon – the Mahananda, Koshi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, and Gandak rivers – which originate in Nepal. Some South Bihar districts have also become vulnerable to floods, from the Son, Punpun, and Phalgu rivers.^[6] The 2013 flood affected over 5.9 million people in 3,768 villages in 20 districts in the state.^[7] The 2017 flood affected 19 districts in North Bihar, killing 514 people^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]} and affecting over 17 million.^{[15][16][17][18]}