PM cancels Patna visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his Patna visit on Saturday. However, he will visit flood-affected Bihar districts - Kishanganj, Katihar, Araria and Purnia on August 26.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was earlier scheduled to receive him at Patna airport on Saturday, will now receive the prime minister at Purnia air base at 10 am.

Modi, who has assured Nitish all possible assistance for flood relief and rescue operation, will undertake aerial survey of flood-torn districts.

“Later, he will hold confabulations with the chief minister and senior officials of the Water Resources Department, Agriculture, Health, Road Construction and Rural Development. Thereafter PM will leave for Delhi from Purnia,” said senior BJP minister Nand Kishore Yadav.

Bihar Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh on Thursday reviewd a power-point presentation for the prime minister wherein Modi would be apprised of the devastation caused due to sudden flood.

Meanwhile, death toll in Bihar flood has reached 394. Though water has started receding in many areas, around 1.5 crore people in 18 districts continue to be affected by this year’s flood.