Rain fed rivers once again threaten floods in North Bihar

Muzaffarpur, Sept 29 (UNI) More than 3,50,000 people in about 200 villages in the north Bihar districts have been severly affected after flood waters of several rainfed rivers, including the Bagmati and Balan, breached the embankments and entered their houses last night.

Expressing concern at the possibility of returning of the fury of floods in north Bihar districts once again following incessant rain for the past three days, official sources here today said about 80 villages under the Arai block were the most affected inundating large areas, while about 20 to 25 villages under Katara and Gaighat blocks were also facing the brunt of the fury affecting more than 50,000 people.

Similarly, in neighbouring Samastipur district the Noon and Balan rivers had again created havoc affecting about 125 villages in Patori, Singhia, Sarairanjan and Morowa blocks. More than 1,00,000 marooned people living in these villages had, however, been evacuated to safer places by the district administration.

Moreover, several areas of Samastipur town had gone under knee to chest deep water following continuous rain since Thursday and subsequent breach of embankments of the Balan at several places.

About 200,000 people who became marooned as a result of flash floods were being provided with succour.

Reports from the district police Headquarters at Bagha of West Champaran, bordering Nepal, said following the release of 2,80,000 cusec of waters from the Balmiki Nagar barrage a large portion of the district had been flooded, including hundreds of acres of crop land, threatening the livelihood of many farmers.

The sudden release of water from the barrage also severely affected four blocks, including Thakraha,Bhitha and Piprasi in the district.

Erosion of large chunk of land by the Gandak had added further woes to the already devastated people, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the overall situation in these areas is likely to worsen further as there seems to be no immediate respite from heavy shower.

The local Met office predicted more rain during the next 24 hours.

UNI