Flood situation deteriorates, train services disrupted

Patna, Aug 25 (UNI) The flood situation in Bihar today deteriorated again as turbulent rivers breached its embankment at several places inundating more villages while train services were affected on various routes after the tracks were submerged.

According to an official release here, more than 1.90 crores people were affected by the flood fury in 19 districts so far.

A report from Samastipur said the surging Noon river breached its embankments inundating several villages in Sarairanjan, Patori and Tajpur blocks of the district.Road communication of the affected villages with the district headquarters had been snapped by the flood water.

Train services between Samastipur and Muktapur stations remained disrupted as the tracks on the route were submerged with flood water.

A report from Kahalgaon said flood situation in three blocks, including Narainpur and Kharik blocks, were under spate of flood fury following breaches in embankments of Ganga and Kosi rivers in Bhagalpur.

A report from Bagaha said flood situation in more than 300 villages of Madhubani, Thakraha, Bhitaha and Piprasi blocks in West Champaran district improved as water was receding gradually bringing respite to marooned people in the area.

A report from Darbhanga said surging Kamla Balan river had inundated Singhwara, Keoti, Tardih and Kusheshwarsthan blocks following rains.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the flood affected areas of the state and personally took stock of the situation. During his visit, Mr Kumar inspected the relief operation being carried out at Meenpur block in Muzaffarpur district. He said that relief opertion was being carried out on priority basis and any official found slack in discharging his duty would not be spared.

Mr Kumar announced input subsidy of Rs 2000 per hectare to the farmers whose fifty per cent of the standing crops had been damaged in the current flood fury. The heavy rains during this monsoon had resulted in one of the worst flood witnessed in the state in recent times.

''I have urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to constitute a special committee to find a permanent solution to this perennial menace'', he said adding interlinking of rivers in the state would be of great help and steps had already been initiated in this direction by the Bihar government.

Altogether 374 people were killed in the current spate of flood fury so far.

Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Vaishali and Katihar were among the worst affected districts by the floods.

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

UNI