ABSTRACT
Extreme events as natural disasters can help to forge fellow-feelings between people but in the reconstruction process, this process often comes to an halt as reconstruction and distribution, and possible redistribution sets in. The worst affected area in Bihar was in the shape of an irregular ellipse of 4,700 square miles stretching east-south-east 160 miles from the west of Motihari to Purnia and from the Nepal border to the south of Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. As recognized by both government publications and relief organizations, the relief work started with the local capacities available. The government was careful in letting 'Congress agencies' share control of relief measurements, the sole responsibility and authority over the aid was to remain with the district officers. By the end of January, the government was fully occupied with assessing the damages of land and property. The functioning of the Bihar Central Relief Committee was met with suspicion by the government officials.
