Which River is known as the "Sorrow of Bihar"?
VerifiedAnswer: River Kosi
Explanation:
The River Kosi is famously known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" due to its devastating floods that have plagued the state for centuries. This river has earned this unfortunate title because of the immense destruction and suffering it brings to the people of Bihar almost every year during the monsoon season.
The Kosi River originates from the Tibetan Plateau and flows through Nepal before entering Bihar. What makes this river particularly destructive is its tendency to frequently change its course. Over the past 200 years, the river has shifted its course by more than 120 kilometers westward, earning it another nickname - the "wandering river." This unpredictable behavior makes it extremely difficult to build permanent flood control structures.
The river carries enormous amounts of silt and sediment from the Himalayas, which gets deposited in its bed and raises the water level. This process, called siltation, reduces the river's capacity to hold water and increases the likelihood of floods. During heavy monsoons, the river overflows its banks and inundates vast areas of northern Bihar, affecting millions of people.
The floods caused by River Kosi have several devastating impacts:
• Loss of human lives and displacement of millions of people
• Destruction of crops, leading to food shortage and economic losses
• Damage to infrastructure including roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals
• Spread of waterborne diseases due to contaminated water
• Loss of livestock and property
The most catastrophic flood in recent history occurred in 2008 when the Kosi barrage in Nepal was breached, causing unprecedented flooding in Bihar. This disaster affected over 2.3 million people and submerged large parts of several districts including Supaul, Araria, Saharsa, and Madhepura.
Despite various flood management efforts by the government, including the construction of embankments and barrages, the River Kosi continues to pose a significant threat to Bihar. The recurring nature of these floods has made development extremely challenging in the region, keeping many areas in a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment. This is why the River Kosi has rightfully earned its somber title as the "Sorrow of Bihar."
