Artificial dam on Kosi: Centre assures all help to Bihar

New Delhi, Aug 3: The Centre today assured all help and assistance to Bihar for rescue and relief in the wake of emerging situation due to overflow in Kosi following a landslide in Nepal creating an artificial dam on the river and triggering possibility of floods.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh telephoned Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi this morning and took stock of the situation in the state in the wake of threat of floods in Bihar. Manjhi apprised the Home Minister of the emerging situation and the steps being taken for the safety of people.

"The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all central help and assistance in rescue and relief of affected people," a Home Ministry official said.

Singh also told Manjhi that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been despatched to the areas where the Kosi river may cross the danger mark.

The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, yesterday held an emergency meeting here in view of the development and a decision was taken to rush some experts to Nepal besides 15 teams of NDRF to Bihar. Bihar has also made available four teams of state disaster response force.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed all help should be rendered to Bihar as well as Nepal to meet any eventuality. Modi today arrived in Kathmandu today on a two-day visit to Nepal. Officials said the Prime Minister was concerned over the situation and has directed officials to do all the needful.

PTI