Death Toll in Bihar Flood Reaches 102

Floods continue to wreak havoc in 12 districts in Bihar as itkilled 102 people so far and nearly 72 lakh people have been affected.

People have taken shelter on roads in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga areas. The situation is getting worse due to incessant rainfall in Nepal and Terai region.

According to an official of State Disaster Management Department of the Bihar government, 12 districts of the state including Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Supaul, Kishenganj, Araria, Purnia and Katihar have been submerged under-water.

133 relief camps have been set up in these 12 districts where1,14,921 people have taken shelter and 776 community kitchens are being set upfor the flood victims.

According to the Bihar water resource department, the water level in several rivers including Bagmati, Kamla Balan, Mahanadi and the Kosi is flowing above the danger level. The water level in the Birpur barrage on the Kosi River was also rising. Flood-waters have also spread in drier areas of Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Purnia.

The state minister for disaster management, Lakhmiswar Rai whilequoted by IANS said that relief and rescue work is continuing. Helicopters willalso be pressed into service in relief operations and that many new areas arealso getting inundated.