Guest Article by: Dr. Ruchi Shree

In 2024, Bihar received 19 percent less rainfall than the normal rainfall and one of its districts named Bhagalpur even lesser with 29 percent. From 1 June to October 21, this district of South Bihar situated on the banks of the Ganga received merely 713.8 mm rain while the expectation was 1054.3 mm according to India Meteorological Department figures. It is the third consecutive year when Bihar has received lesser rainfall than expectation[i] and it is likely to worsen the water scenario in the coming years. On the other hand, Bihar faced severe flood this year and Bhagalpur was one of its worst affected districts due to a rise in the level of the Ganga. In a span of around 45 days i.e. from mid-August to end of September, Bhagalpur faced floods four times. This writing is based on my observation of three locations in Nathnagar block of Bhagalpur — two villages named Dildarpur and Biharipur and the Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) premise (administrative wing and Lalbagh Professors’ Colony). TMBU is quite close to Dildarpur village (situated on the Diyara land between Champa Nalla/River and river Ganga).