Advani advocates permanent flood control measures with Nepal

Purnia,Sept 02 (UNI) BJP prime ministerial candidate L K Advani today advocated for both long and short term flood control measures by the Centre and the Nepal government for a permanent solution to the perennial calamity in Bihar.

Speaking to newsmen here after conducting an aerial survey of the flood-battered Madhepura, Supoul, Araria and Purnia districts today, Mr Advani describing the catastrophy as unprecedented said both the governments must take up the issue on top priority basis and start working on the programme without further delay.

'' I have already requested the new Nepalese Foreign minister when he called on me yesterday in New Delhi and urged him to take necessary steps for a permanent solution to the annual menace,to which he fully agreed,''Mr Advani said.

Ridiculing the RJD and other opposition political parties for resorting to 'blame game' in the present hour of crisis, Mr Advani said it was not the time to find fault with others.

''On the contrary now is the time when everybody, forgetting their political differences, must work in unison and help one another,'' He also hailed the state government for its efforts in rescuing and providing relief to lakhs of marooned people and flood victims in hundreds of relief camps and other shelters across the affected districts.

The present situation demanded resorting to rescue operation first to save the lives of millions of hapless villegers who had no idea about the danger of flash floods of the river Kosi after it suddenly changed its course on August 18, the BJP leader said .

Mr Advani was accompanied in his tour among others by Chief minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and BJP leaders like Mr Arun Jaitley, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad and Mr Shahanwaz Hussain.

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