WITH the clock ticking and less than a hundred days to go until ministers from around the world meet at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, now is the time for the UK and [South Asia/India/Bangladesh] to work together to get a climate deal that is fair to the region's economy and its people.
With major rivers in spate, there is no let-up in the overall flood situation in Bihar where 1.5 million people continue to reel under the deluge in 11 north Bihar districts.
Rivers like Kosi, Mahananda, Bagmati, Kamala Balan and Adhwara have crossed the danger level at different places along their course, Central Water Commission sources said.
The 18 August 2008 avulsion of the Kosi River draining the parts of north Bihar in eastern India may well be regarded as one of the greatest avulsions in a large river in recent years. The Kosi River shifted by ~120 km eastward, triggered by the breach of the eastern afflux bund at Kusaha in Nepal at a location 12 km upstream of the Kosi barrage. This event was widely perceived as a major flood in the media and scientific circles. Although a large area was indeed inundated after this event, it is important to appreciate that this inundation was different from a regular flooding event.
The Union Cabinet will meet on Thursday to discuss a proposal, moved by the Home Ministry, to sanction additional financial assistance to Bihar for Kosi flood relief
THE large-scale destruction unleashed by the Kosi river last year is still fresh in the minds of the people and, not surprisingly, when the river Bagmati breached its embankment at Runisaidpur in Sitamarhi district on Saturday, it created a scare which many felt would only compound the problems of the state already reeling under the severe drought-like conditions.
Briefly summarising the existing literature on the causes and the characteristics of expected climate changes in India over the coming years, this paper discusses the ways in which these changes might affect the lives of the poor.
Dinesh Kumar Mishra looks back at the history of floods in North Bihar and wonders what this year has in store Had the Kosi river not breached its eastern embankment at Kusaha last year, 2008 would have gone down as a drought year in North Bihar. The rains were scanty and there was virtual drought after the breach occurred. That is why the Kosi hit only 3.3 million people across five
KATHMANDU: Nepal and India have agreed to conduct round-the-clock patrolling of the embankments of the Koshi river during the flood season so that any repair needed is provided on time.
July 7: The Lok Sabha was adjourned when members of the BJD and JD(U) raised voices to express concern on the Centre allegedly asking back for relief funds given to Orissa and Bihar governments last year as flood relief grant.
