Bihar flood scene worsens, toll 29

PATNA, AUG 8: The flood situation in Bihar deteriorated on Tuesday claiming a total of 29 lives so far as the swollen Ganga inundated a large area in Katihar district. While West Champaran district reported five deaths, ten deaths each were reported from Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur and two each from Darbhanga and Saharsa so far.

A Katihar report quoting District Magistrate Pratayay Amrit said the Ganga had inundated a large tract of agricultural land following a 150 feet wide breach in flood protection ring bundh at Karhagola ghat. He said relief and rescue machinery had been kept in readiness in Baran block as the water was advancing menacingly towards many villages.

He said 70 country-boats had been pressed into service in the Diara (riverside villages) of Kursaila, Barari, Manihari and Amdabad blocks.

Plying of small country boats had been banned in major rivers including the Ganga, Kosi and Mahananda in view of continuous rising trend of these rivers. He said private ferry operators in the district had been directed not to overload ferries and mechanised boats adding all police stations had been instructed to keep a close vigil.