Nine lakh people evacuated from Bihar

Patna, Sep 06: With the decrease in water level of the turbulent Kosi and evacuation of more than nine lakh marooned people from the flood-ravaged areas of north Bihar, focus has now shifted on setting up mega relief camps for accommodating the flood victims.

Official sources claimed here today that more than nine lakh people of the ten lakh flood victims had either moved out to safer places on their own or had been evacuated by the state government, Central agencies and other organisations engaged in rescue and relief operation.

'' Efforts are on to set up Mega relief camps in the flood- affected districts, '' sources said adding more than three lakh people were presently taking shelter in various relief centres in Araria, Purnia, Supaul, Madhepura and Katihar.

District Magistrate of Madhepura said there were 63 camps in the district working round the the clock for providing succour to the flood victims. Edibles and other essentials had been supplied to the relief centres in abundance and a senior officer had been deputed at each centre to monitor the relief operation.

Asked about the shortage of medicines, he said SOS had been sent to the state government for immediate supply of such medicines.

Keeping in view the magnitude of the devastation by the flood fury, the relief camps would have to run for six to nine months, sources said adding the flood victims from makeshift relief centres would be shifted to mega relief centres.

Meanwhile, the Union Rural Development Ministry had announced assistance of Rs 1600 crore to the Bihar government under various programmes for schemes relating to providing safe drinking water, construction of 58,000 houses for the poor and repairing of 2000 km of rural roads.

Indian Overseas Bank had donated Rs one crore to the Chief Minister Relief Fund for assistance to flood victims in north Bihar, sources said.

UNI