Nepal releases 5.90 lakh cusec water, flood situation worsens

Patna, Aug 17 (UNI) The overall flood situation in Bihar further deteriorated today following release of 5 lakh 90 thousand cusec of water from Nepal in the Gandak from Valmikinagar Gandak Baraje.

According to Central Water commission, all major rivers of the state were flowing above the red mark and the torents in the catchment areas during the past 24 hours had further made the flood situation worse.

Following the release of water from Nepal in the Gandak during the past 24 hours, fresh areas of West Champaran district were inundated. A report from Bagaha quoting official sources said the flood water was flowing over National Highway 28 B following which the communication between Bettiah and Bagaha in West Champaran district was snapped.

The report said the flood-affected people in the worst-hit area of Ramnagar block were shifted to safe places. The flood water entered Piprasi and Bathwaria police station campus, forcing the police personnel for taking shelter at higher places.

A report from Samastipur revealed that there was no let up in the flood fury and the water level of the Noon and Baya were increasing rapidly making the situation worse in the villages of the Patauri block.

Other areas were also inundated in the flood water.

An official report from Darbhanga quoting District Magistrate Upendra Sharma said the district was again in the grip of flood due to heavy downpour for the past 24 hours.

Mr Sharma ordered closure of all schools till further order and the Darbhanga Medical College was closed till August 30 following the deteriorating flood situation.

The situation in other districts, which were in the grip of flood, continued to remain grim.

More than 300 people had so far lost their lives in the flood fury, while more than 1.5 crore people living in 19 districts were flood-affected.

Meanwhile, the state capital was facing the worst ever waterlogging problems.

Urban Development Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey toured the waterlogged area and directed the officials to pump out the water within 24 hours.

Local weatherman predicted moderate to heavy rains in the catchment areas and in the plains during the next 24 hours.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes extended the date of filing of Income tax returns to September 15 in the state.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Rabri Devi lambasted the Nitish Kumar government and blamed him for tardy rescue and relief operation in the flood-ravaged areas.

She alleged that the state goverment was apathetic towards the plight of the flood-affected people.

UNI