East Champaran Floods: Five Rules To Keep Your Drinking Water Safe

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Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary flew to Hussaini block in East Champaran on 28 September to assess the flood situation around Dumaria Ghat Bridge. The Gandak, which has inundated low-lying areas of the district, recorded a peak discharge of 5,43,500 cusecs at the Valmikinagar barrage that morning.

Photo Credit: ANI

For families in the water's path, the question quickly shifts from the river to the glass in their hands: how to make drinking water safe during floods, when handpumps may be submerged, and daily routines have collapsed.

The stakes are real. Akshay Dongardive, National President of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), told a media outlet in September 2025 that waterborne infections such as cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A and E are the most consistent health risks after floods across India.

When The Handpump Goes Under

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After a flood, tap water may be unavailable or unsafe, and the CDC advises using only bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. The same caution applies to a handpump or well that floodwater has reached. Treat it as contaminated until it has been disinfected and tested.

Help is meant to be at hand. Bihar's health department has arranged ORS, zinc tablets and Halazone tablets for water purification. During the 2024 floods, UNICEF supported the state's post-flood response, which focused on disinfecting handpumps and supplying bleaching powder and chlorine tablets. Residents can ask local health workers or relief camp staff where these are being distributed.

Boil It, And Mean It

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Boiling remains the most dependable method. The CDC's guidance is a full rolling boil for one minute. If the water is cloudy, let the particles settle, or strain it through a clean cloth, before disinfecting. Let it cool, then store it in a clean, covered container.

No Fuel To Spare? Tablets Step In

Chlorine, chlorine dioxide or iodine tablets can kill most germs, provided the label instructions are followed exactly. Filter cloudy water first, because silt weakens disinfection. Pregnant women and people with thyroid problems should avoid iodine-treated water.

One limit matters. Water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfection. If it smells of chemicals, switch to another source.

Where Safe Water Turns Unsafe Again

This is the mistake that undoes good work: treated water poured into a dirty pot, or a wet hand dipped into it. Safe water is needed for more than drinking. The EPA says disinfected water should also be used for cooking, prepared drinks, washing dishes and brushing teeth. For infants, the FDA suggests canned, ready-to-feed formula that needs no added water.

Signs That Cannot Wait

Vomiting, profuse diarrhoea, high fever and abdominal pain are the red flags. One doctor advises starting ORS immediately and seeking medical help without delay.

The Gandak will recede in time. What families do with the water in their pots in the meantime will decide how many of them fall ill. One minute of rolling boil, a tablet used as directed and a lid on the container are small acts, but they are the ones that keep drinking water safe during floods.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.