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Supaul district

Overview

Supaul district is an administrative district in the state of Bihar, India. Located in the northern part of the state, it forms part of the Kosi region and lies in the floodplains of the Kosi river. The town of Supaul serves as the district headquarters.

Key facts

Attribute Detail
State Bihar
Country India
Headquarters Supaul
Division Kosi division
Type District

Background

Supaul was carved out as a separate district from Saharsa district on 14 March 1991, becoming an independent administrative unit within the Kosi division of Bihar. Before this, the area had long been associated with the historical Mithila region of north Bihar and shared its administrative history with neighbouring Saharsa and Madhepura.

Geography

The district lies in the alluvial plains of north Bihar and is dominated by the Kosi river, which has historically shifted its course across the region and given rise to the name "Sorrow of Bihar". The terrain is generally flat and fertile, with numerous distributaries, embankments, and seasonal wetlands. Supaul shares its northern border with Nepal, while neighbouring Indian districts include Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa and Madhubani.

Administrative divisions

For administrative purposes the district is organised into subdivisions, community development blocks, and gram panchayats. The headquarters town of Supaul houses the offices of the District Magistrate and other key district-level institutions.

Economy and society

The economy of Supaul is largely agrarian. Paddy, maize, wheat, jute and pulses are cultivated, and fisheries are important in low-lying areas. Dairy, livestock and small-scale trade complement farming. Recurrent flooding by the Kosi river has historically affected agriculture, settlement patterns and infrastructure in the district, and flood management remains a significant aspect of public administration.

Transport

Supaul is connected to other parts of Bihar by road and rail. National and state highways pass through the district, and the Kosi Mahasetu (Kosi Rail Bridge) project, which reconnected the rail link across the Kosi river between Nirmali and Saraigarh, has improved railway connectivity in the region.

Significance

Supaul is significant for its role in the Kosi region's flood-prone agrarian economy, its proximity to the India–Nepal border, and its association with major water management and embankment projects on the Kosi river. The district has also been the focus of relief and rehabilitation efforts following major Kosi floods, including the 2008 Kosi embankment breach which affected large parts of north Bihar.

References