Flood situation worsens in Bihar

Patna, Aug 9: The overall flood situation continued to remain grim in Bihar as Nepal today released 1,00,400 cusecs of water in Kosi. According to an official report of the Disaster Management department, the toll in the flood fury touched 126 in the state. Meanwhile, an official report from Saharsa said the water level, which was receding in the flood-affected areas of the Kosi division, was again rising following release of water in Kosi from Nepal.

Communication, specially road link, was badly hit in the division while plying of trains resumed partially in some parts.

A report from Khagaria said the flood water of the turbulent Bagmati, Budhi Gandak and Kareh entered Khagaria, and many areas were inundated following breach in the Kareh near Patsa village.

The culvert of an embankment collapsed due to water pressure.

The flood water entered the sub-divisional office, Sadar hospital, collectorate, civil court, district and sessions judge court, block office, SBI office, powergrid substation, jail premises and many schools of the town.

The power supply from Khagaria grid and sub-station had been suspended in the district headquarters.

The jail administration evacuated over 700 prisoners, who were being shifted to the jails in Bhagalpur and Begusarai. The functioning of Sadar hospital had been temporarily shifted at the building of a local high school.

The report from Samastipur said there was no let up in the flood situation even after the Bagmati and Kareh rivers were maintaining receding trend in the district.

About 15 lakh people were still marooned, and several government offices, court campus, Doordarshan relay centre and subdivisional jail campus remain inundated. About 250 prisoners were shifted to the first floor of the jail building.

The road and rail communication remained totally snapped in the district which was facing heavy revenue loss of Rs 30 lakh everyday due to the flood.

Air Force helicopters were airdropping the relief materials in the flood-affected areas of the state.

According to Central Water Commission sources, majority of the rivers were flowing above the danger level at several places.

The Disaster Management department informed that about one crore 38 lakh people of 164 blocks in about 5000 villages had been affected by the flood and 820 relief camps set up in the affected areas.

The local weather office predicted moderate to heavy rain in the catchment areas during the next 24 hours.

UNI