Bihar reels under worst flood in decade

Situation in the flood-affected northern districts of Bihar worsened today with more villages and towns being submerged by torrential downpo...

Situation in the flood-affected northern districts of Bihar worsened today with more villages and towns being submerged by torrential downpours and weathermen predicting more rains in the catchment areas. More than 40 people have died and information is unavailable from large parts of the state as floodwaters disrupted road and telephone links for the second consecutive day.

Official estimates say 16.5 lakh families have been affected. Three columns of the army have already been pressed into relief and rescue operations and six more have been requested for. Helicopters of the army and the IAF are air-dropping essential items in the marooned areas.

State Irrigation Department officials say, Bihar has not seen a worse flood in the last decade. Many of the rivers in north Bihar are flowing two meters above danger-level. Many areas plunged into darkness with electricity supply being affected due to technical faults or being shut down to avoid any mishap due to the lines touching the floodwaters.

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Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Union Minister for Water Resources J.P. Yadav had an aerial survey of the affected districts of Sitamarhi, Dharbhanga, Sheohar, Champaran and Samastipur. Even the Dharbhanga Commissioner’s office has come under floodwaters and IAF personnel at an airstrip in the town had to be evacuated on Wednesday.

The state government has demanded 50 MT of wheat and rice each and 10 lakh polythene sheets as immediate relief. The CM said the state government is helpless in controlling the floods since most of these rivers originate in Nepal. ‘‘We can only provide relief, that too if the Centre gives adequate assistance,’’ CM Rabri Devi said. The state government has also requested for five satellite phones to establish communication with the flood-affected areas.

Over 4,000 hit In Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Over 4,000 people in 32 villages have been affected by the floods in Meghalaya’s Garo hills. State Sericulture and Weaving Minister Sayeed Ullahnongrum on Wednesday visited the affected areas on the directive of the Chief Minister. —(PTI)

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