Evacuation continues; toll 70

Operation points have been set up at worst hit Chhatapur, Triveniganj, Murlignaj, Uda Kishanganj, Bihariganj and Gwalpada of Supaul and Madhepura.

8220;Fifteen navy boats and 14 columns of Army have already arrived for rescue operation. We are expecting six more Army columns by tomorrow,8221; said Disaster management additional commissioner Pratyay Amrit. He said an Army jawan, who was feared to have been drowned in boat tragedy at Mirganj, has returned safely. 8220;He had sat atop a tree and was located by an Army boat,8221; said Amrit.

Though water discharge from the breach had come down to 1.4 lakh cusecs on Sunday as against 1.6 lakh on Saturday, relief operation has been hit with the Madhepura-Singhewar Road getting shut because of three feet water on the road.

Saharsa and Madhepura stations remained crowded with displaced people gathering in large numbers to take special trains to safety. Over 27 lakh people have been affected so far. Some areas in Purnea and Katihar have also been affected.

Relief at camps remains unsatisfactory, as food items are not adequate. Government officials are yet to inspect new areas where dislodged people have stayed put. Meanwhile, several private groups and NGOs have joined the relief operation.