Flood situation in Bihar deteriorates

Patna, July 26 (UNI) Flood situation in 10 affected districts of Bihar worsened today as the Kosi and Bagmati maintained rising trends in water level following intermittent rain in catchment areas of the rivers.

Official reports received here said that over 100 boats had been pressed into service to evacuate flood affected people to safer places.

Altogether 369 villages have been submerged affecting about four lakh people in the current wave of floods, which claimed 11 human lives and 19 cattleheads so far.

Control room sources in the state crisis management department said that properties worth Rs 70 crore were damaged in the floods.

Meanwhile, a report from the Central Water Commission said the Kosi river was flowing 13 cm above danger mark at Basua with forecast of further rise during the next 24 hours. The river Bagmati has also shown a rising trend.

Rainfall recorded in different places of Bihar during the last 24 hours was as follows: Benibad-54 mm, Jhanjharpur-76 mm, Basua-137 mm, Araria-120 mm and Chardharia-68 mm.

The affected districts during the first wave of floods of the season were Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Saharsa, Kishanganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga.

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