'What has changed in 17 years?': Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP over Bihar flood crisis

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the BJP-led government over Bihar’s recurring flood crisis, asking what had changed on the ground in the last 17 years and calling for a permanent solution instead of yearly relief and assurances.In a post on X, while offering his condolences Rahul said that floods had once again struck Bihar with “devastating force”, affecting millions, submerging hundreds of villages and leaving several people dead or missing.“The most heartbreaking thing is that this crisis in Bihar is not new,” Rahul said, pointing to the recurring cycle of floods, deaths, shattered families and migration.“The BJP's double-engine government should tell us — what has it done in the last 17 years to address this annual tragedy? What has changed on the ground?” he asked.Rahul said people in Bihar did not need relief and assurances every year but a permanent solution to the recurring floods.Nearly 50 lakh affectedThe latest flood spell affected 49.67 lakh people across 15 districts, according to the Bihar disaster management department. The affected districts included Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria.The floods came amid heavy rainfall in Bihar and neighbouring areas, with officials saying water levels in the Ganga, Sone and Gandak rose sharply after heavy rain in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as rainfall in the catchment areas of rivers originating in Nepal.This year's flooding also differed from the usual pattern. While the Kosi and Gandak were responsible for the first two flood spells, the prolonged third spell in September was mainly driven by the swollen Ganga, Sone and Punpun rivers.Government pushes relief, long-term measuresThe Bihar government has stepped up relief operations, with chief minister Samrat Choudhary saying the administration would ensure assistance reached affected families. The state also transferred Rs 579 crore to 8.27 lakh flood-affected families across 15 districts, with each eligible family receiving Rs 7,000.Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also visited flood-hit areas and assured Bihar of the Centre's support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He said the scale of damage and the state's requirements would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.The state government has also been looking beyond immediate relief. Choudhary later said surveys of the Kosi and Mahananda rivers were being conducted as part of a comprehensive study of recurring floods and efforts towards a permanent solution.The issue of embankments has also remained central to the flood response. Bihar's water resources department said scientifically strengthened embankments had remained intact this season, while older ring and zamindari bunds had suffered breaches.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.