Flood situation remains grim even as relief work stepped up in Bihar

Bhagalpur (Bihar), Sept 6 : Flood situation remained grim in Bhagalpur District in Bihar, even as authorities step up relief work in the flood-ravaged region.

The situation has worsened in Naugachchia sub-division of the district as some fishermen slashed a soil embankment with an intention to get fish down in the region, but water gushed in many villages.

"About 25 villages are affected by floods. Water has entered the houses. We want to leave but there are no arrangements like boats. Moreover, the authorities have not given us any relief so far," said Ganga Yadav, flood victim.

The people of the affected villages complained about the negligence of the district administration.

"Embankment at Dagpur was washed away on 2nd (September). The Block Development Officer (BDO) visited the site but so far nothing has been done so far and we are facing problems," alleged Basant Kumar, flood victim.

Meanwhile, Army personnel carried out distribution of relief material in the district.

The army has so far deployed 37 columns for flood relief operations in the State.

The flooding has occurred after the Kosi river burst a dam in neighbouring Nepal earlier this month and changed its course, swamping hundreds of villages in Bihar and destroying more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of farmlands.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi announced 228 million dollars in aid for rescue and recovery efforts.

ANI