As I waded through the knee-deep water in Saharsa and Methupura, I was moved by the enormity of the suffering all around me. The fury of the Kosi had displaced and marooned more than 30 lakh people. Yet, I was amazed to see the resilience of the human spirit. Relief camps had sprung up to provide basic necessities to the flood victims. Numerous philanthropists, corporate bodies and relief organisations supplemented the efforts of the administration, army and navy in providing relief. Hectic activities could be seen on both sides of the road near the affected areas that were lined up with temporary hutments. Charitable organisations and people were busy distributing food packets, dhotis and saris to those lucky enough to be near motorable roads. The scale of the operation led to some oversights: some received relief materials twice, or even multiple times.

Looking at them I wondered about the fate of people, who are still far away, totally cut-off. It dawned upon me that very soon relief operations would cease. Highly charged national emotions, would soon be diverted to the next calamity. Already, news of floods in other places has taken precedence over Bihar. Where will people find replacement for their lost crop and cattle? Will children have any schools to go to? Will the dispensaries and hospitals damaged beyond repair become serviceable again? Rebuilding their lives is a long, painful process. Though the PM declared it a national calamity, the extent of devastation, and its serious socio-economic repercussions have still not been fully realised.

... contd.