In late August, the Kosi River in India overflowed its banks in the state of Bihar after severe monsoon rains caused a dam to burst in neighboring Nepal, triggering what officials are calling the worst floods in 50 years.
The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 70,000 people in Nepal and more than three million in India have been affected. In the state of Bihar alone, an estimated 300,000 homes have been destroyed, 250,000 acres of farmland devastated, and more than 2.5 million people displaced. At least 90 people have been reported dead.
According to officials in Bihar, more than 560,000 people have been evacuated so far and an estimated 200,000 moved to government relief camps many of which are also being submerged by water.
Villagers are eating uncooked rice and flour mixed with polluted water in order to survive. The lack of food and potable drinking water are immediate concerns for flood-stranded victims, in addition to the outbreak of life threatening water-borne diseases.
A major river has changed direction (not simply breached its banks) so water is moving swiftly and will likely not recede unless there is a major infrastructural intervention.
The people from affected communities are likely to be in shelters for months
on end, with the resulting inability to pursue livelihoods or attend school.