CM Nitish Kumar, from ‘Sankalp’ at 1 Anne Marg, inaugurated the direct transfer of ex-gratia relief to flood-affected families through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) for the year 2025.
CM Nitish: With a single click, he initiated the payment of ₹7,000 per family directly into their bank accounts. On this occasion, 6,51,602 affected families across 12 districts received a total relief amount of ₹456.12 crore.
Providing details, the Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Disaster Management Department informed that due to a sharp rise in the water level of the Ganga River in August, floods occurred in 11 districts along its banks—Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, and Katihar. Earlier, heavy rainfall in neighboring states had caused flooding in 8 panchayats of 4 blocks in Nalanda district. In total, 66 blocks across 12 districts were affected, impacting nearly 38 lakh people.
During relief operations, 2.19 lakh polythene sheets and 57,639 dry ration packets were distributed. Fourteen flood relief camps are currently operational, housing about 15,000 people. Community kitchens have served food to around 85 lakh people so far, and arrangements for human and veterinary healthcare have also been made in the camps.
The Chief Minister recalled that on August 13, he held a review meeting with flood-affected districts, followed by an aerial survey of Patna, Vaishali, Begusarai, and Munger on August 14. He had directed officials to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and instructed that financial relief be disbursed to all affected families by August 20, 2025. Expressing satisfaction, he said it is heartening that today, assistance has been provided to over 6.5 lakh families.
He praised the efforts of officials in managing the crisis but cautioned that the flood season is not yet over, as heavy rains and rising river levels in September may also trigger flooding. He urged everyone to remain fully alert and extend sensitive and prompt assistance to victims whenever required. “It has always been my belief,” he emphasized, “that disaster-affected people have the first right over the state’s treasury.”
The event was attended by Disaster Management Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Mandal, Chief Secretary Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Principal Secretaries, and other senior officials. District Magistrates of the affected districts also joined via video conferencing.