Bihar flood situation grim, relief efforts continue

PATNA: The floods in Bihar continued unabated with the Kosi river wreaking havoc in northern districts of Supaul, Madhepura and Araria as another IAF helicopter was roped in to air-drop relief materials in the affected areas.

"One more IAF helicopter, in addition to earlier two, joined in the relief efforts. The state government's relief operation continued for the third day today with air-dropping of relief packets in the three worst-hit districts where the situation remains grave," Additional Commissioner of the Disaster Management Department Pratyay Amrit told PTI.

Nearly 30 relief camps have been set up in the areas hit by the floods in these districts caused by the breach in the east Kosi embankment at Kusaha in Nepal on August 18.

Thousands of people have been evacuated by the national disaster relief force and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, guarding the Indo-Nepal border.

State's Chief Secretary R J M Pillai, who along with principal secretary of the Disaster Management department R K Singh, made an aerial survey of the three districts and directed the authorities to step up evacuation of the marooned people to relief camps and other safe places.

A report from Madhepura said that Kumarkhand, Muraliganj, Shankerpur, Udakishunganj, Alamnagar, Chausa, Puraini and Gwalpara blocks have been completely cut off from the district headquarter.

Train services between Purnia and Madhepura have been suspended indefinitely due to water-logging on tracks at several places and railway line washed away in a stretch of about 45 ft near Dinapatti, official sources said.

Thousands of people were taking shelter on roads, embankments, schools, government and private buildings in the districts and waiting for relief, which the locals alleged was grossly inadequate.