North Bihar floods remain grim, death toll increases

Patna, Aug 26 (UNI) The overall flood situation in north Bihar continued to be alarming for over a week, as almost all the major rivers, including the Kosi, Gandak and the Ganges, maintained their rising trend claiming 40 lives so far.

Official sources from eleven flood affected district headquarters today informed that though there was no report of any heavy shower, all the major rivers, including the Kosi, Gandak, Mahananda, Kamala Balan and Burhi Gandak maintained their rising trend primarily because of rush of water from the lower regions of Nepal and the breach of embankments of the Kosi and other small rivers.

The mighty Ganges like other rivers was also flowing above the danger mark at various points inundating large areas.

As a result, a maximum number of 15 people died in Madhepura, while nine others lost their lives in Supaul followed by six in Bhagalpur, four in West Champaran and three each in Samastipur and Purnea districts in flood related incidents so far, the sources said.

More than four million people had so far been affected in flood fury. About 500,000 people who were rendered homeless had taken shelter in several relief camps in safer areas, the sources said.

Among the worst affected districts were--West Champaran, Madhepura, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Supaul and Bhagalpur.

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