Sitamarhi: Last year, it was the Kosi that unleashed its fury in Bihar. Now, the swollen Baghmati river has made 40,000 people homeless in Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur districts due to a seven-metre breach in the river's right embankment.
The flood isn't caused by heavy rain, but due to discharge of water into the river from Nepal where it originates.
Those at the receiving end are clueless.
The government seems to have learnt its lessons from the Kosi disaster. So this time, rescue and relief work has been much faster. But how did the embankment that was firmed up last year give in?
"You people are repeating the same question over and over again. I have told you that an inquiry has been ordered. I can't say anything beyond that right now. It doesn't matter how much you will twist that question around. Last year after the Kosi disaster, the government had promised to strengthen embankments on all Bihar rivers, but clearly words have not translated into action," said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
What the government should perhaps do is to act on that inquiry report as and when it is submitted, so that the next time a tragedy of such nature can actually be prevented.