Bihar flood toll climbs to 89; over 33 lakh people hit

Patna, August 5: The flood-related death toll in Bihar rose to 89 with 25 casualties being reported on Friday as 33 lakh people in 14 districts remain affected.

The Disaster Management Department said in a statement that Saran is the latest district to be hit by the deluge.

Purnia district has reported maximum number of deaths (26), followed by 21 in Araria, 15 in Katihar, eight in Supaul and five in Kishanganj, it said.

Four persons have died each in Madhepura and Gopalganj, three in Darbhanga, and one each in Saharsa, Muzaffarpur and Saran, the statement said.

Rivers like Mahananda, Bakhra, Kankai, Parmar, Koshi and others have primarily caused inundation in Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran and Muzaffarpur districts.

According to latest reports, the Ganga is flowing above the danger mark in Kahalgaon (Bhagalpur), while Ghaghra river is flowing above the danger mark at some places in Siwan district.

Budhi Gandak river is also flowing above the danger mark in Khagaria, while Koshi river is flowing above the danger mark in Khagaria and Katihar districts.

A staggering 6.41 lakh people have been shifted to safer places and 1,490 boats have been pressed into service for rescue and relief works, the Disaster Management Department said.

As many as 3.79 lakh people have been sheltered at campms where elaborate arrangements for food and other relief materials have bene made.

Several teams of the NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service in the flood-affected districts for rescue and relief works, the Disaster Management Department statement added.

PTI