Flood situation continues to be grim; toll touches to 279

Patna, Aug 16 (UNI) The overall flood situation in Bihar continued to be grim following incessent rain in catchment areas of most of the rivers, even as the toll rose to 279.

With reports of six more deaths from Darbhanga and one from Khagaria, the toll in present flood fury had reached 279.

Official sources said the flood situation in 19 districts of north Bihar continued to be serious causing misery to more than 15 millions people in 200 blocks of the flood ravaged area. A preliminary assessment suggested that standing crops in more than 12 lakh hectares were damaged, the sources added.

A report from Bagha said flood situation in West Champaran district deteriorated further as Balmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage released 2.40 lakh cusec water inundating Thakraha and Bhitaha villages. The flood situation in Madhubani and Piprasi blocks of the district deteriorated further as more villages were delyged.

Offices of district police superintendent and Sub-divisional officer were inundated while the referral hospital was also flooded crippling health care facilities, the sources said.

Flood water submerged NH-28B snapping road communication of Bagaha with Bettiah and Balmikinagar.

In Samastipur district, the flood situation aggravated further following incessant rain for the past four days while the situation turned worst in Bithan, Hassanpur, Rosera, Warisnagar and and Kalyanpur blocks of the district.

In Banka district, under the spate of heavy downpour during the past three days, at least 12 blocks were submerged affecting more than 2.5 lakh people besides damaging property worth crores of rupees.

A report from Hajipur said surging Baya river inundated several villages in Pateribelsar and Vaishali blocks.Karnaiji, Bhagwatpur, Chakgulamuddin, Bhataiya were among the worst affected villages from the fresh onslaught of the Baiaya river.

According to Sub-divisional officer of Hajipur B K Sinha, a team of engineers and other technical personnel from Water Resources Department was on round-the-clock vigil to check the gushing of water embankments of the Baya river in Vaishali district.

'' Relief and rescue operation had been stepped up following the arrival of consignments of relief packets from various non government organisation and several public under takings'', he said adding inclement weather was, however, creating obstacle in carrying out relief operation smoothly.

A release of Central Water Commission said river Ganges was flowing 56 cm above the red mark at Sahebganj while Burhi Gandak was 65 cm above the danger mark at Rosera.Bagmati was 94 cm above the danger level at Hayaghat while Adhwara group of rivers was 70 cm above the red mark at Ekmi Ghat and it was 65 cmm above the danger level at Kamtaul.Kosi river was 142 cm above the red mark at Baltara while it was 44 cm above the danger level at Kursaila.

Flood situation in Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur and Begusarai continued to remain grim, sources said.

UNI