PATNA: A plan to integrate the river system in Bihar with the aim of preventing a recurrence of the Kosi deluge was mooted on Thursday by former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who is now on a visit to the State.
The Kosi flood disaster of 2008 in Bihar and also in Nepal highlights two key issues relating to flood control. The first is the failure of the structural approach to flood control on the Kosi and the second is institutional dysfunction with respect to trans-boundary flood management.
A recent assessment of impact of tourism activities and infrastructure on tigers and other wildlife in and around Corbett Tiger Reserve. Says that tourism inside the core critical habitat is unsustainable and is a serious threat to Corbett.
The Koshi river has drawn the attention of scientific, engineering, and political leaders for decades. During the colonial era, the British rulers of India were concerned about the floods and high sediment load of the river and they aimed to control flooding in the Koshi delta in Bihar.
After sparring with the Centre over maintenance and repair of Kosi barrage, needed more so after the 2008 floods caused by Kushaha breach, the Bihar government
Even as the Bihar government has declared 26 of its 38 districts as drought-affected, several parts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa and Supaul districts have been facing flood, affecting over one lakh people. Over 100 houses have been washed away in Supaul and Saharsa because of Kosi water flooding the fields.
