Flood situation remains grim in north Bihar

Patna, Aug 23 (UNI) The overall flood situation in eight north Bihar districts continued to remain grim today following the surge of huge water from the breached Kosi embankments in the lower regions of Nepal and flooding of other major rivers within the state.

Official sources, quoting the state Flood Control Division here, informed that multiple breaches were reported in embankments of the rain-fed Kosi river.

Besides, several other major rivers, including the Mahananda, Gandak and the Ganges, were overflowing, resulting in inundation of large areas of Supopul, Araria, Madehpura, Katihar, Purnea, Sitamarhi, Sheohar and Madubani districts, rendering more than six million people homeless.

Though there was no report of any human casualty from anywhere of these flood-affected districts so far, standing crops worth several hundred crores of rupees were damaged.

In the wake of the seriousness of the situation, the state government had called Army to assist the civil authorities in the worst-affected areas and pressed into service five IAF helicopters for air-dropping of food packets and relief material to the marooned people.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, after conducting an aerial survey of several flood-affected districts, directed three senior ministers to camp in Supoul, Araria and Madepura district headquarters to monitor the rescue and relief operations till the improvement of the situation.

Reports from various districts suggested that more than 500 villages had so far been affected by the current fury of flash floods.

However, all-out efforts were being made to distribute food packets and relief material to the marooned people as well as to those who had taken shelter in high lands.

A number of country-made boats had also been deployed to reach succour to the flood-affected people, the sources added.

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