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Weather
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav urges national disaster tag for floods, slams Centre
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 13 Sep 2026, 07:01 PM
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Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav demanded that the ongoing Bihar floods be declared a national disaster, accusing the central government of a "stepmotherly" response.
Heavy monsoon rains have swamped large parts of Bihar, displacing thousands and inundating roads, schools and agricultural fields. In a press briefing, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said the scale of the disaster warrants a national disaster declaration, which would unlock central funds and resources for relief.
Yadav criticised the Union government's response as "stepmotherly", alleging that assistance has been delayed and inadequate compared to other states facing similar calamities. He urged the Centre to act swiftly, emphasizing that the affected population needs immediate medical aid, food and shelter.
The national disaster tag, if granted, would trigger the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force and expedite financial assistance under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. State officials are reportedly coordinating with central agencies to assess the situation and submit a formal request.
As floodwaters continue to rise, local authorities are conducting rescue operations and setting up temporary camps. The administration has appealed to citizens for cooperation in evacuation and relief distribution, while monitoring the weather forecast for further rainfall.
Yadav criticised the Union government's response as "stepmotherly", alleging that assistance has been delayed and inadequate compared to other states facing similar calamities. He urged the Centre to act swiftly, emphasizing that the affected population needs immediate medical aid, food and shelter.
The national disaster tag, if granted, would trigger the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force and expedite financial assistance under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. State officials are reportedly coordinating with central agencies to assess the situation and submit a formal request.
As floodwaters continue to rise, local authorities are conducting rescue operations and setting up temporary camps. The administration has appealed to citizens for cooperation in evacuation and relief distribution, while monitoring the weather forecast for further rainfall.