Bihar faces flood fury, one lakh affected

Nitish undertakes aerial survey of affected areas

 
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar undertook an aerial survey of flood-ravaged areas of the district on Sunday. It is believed that nearly one lakh people were affected as the swirling water gushed into one village after another, rendering the inhabitants homeless.

While unconfirmed reports reaching here said five children were swept in the flood waters, the district administration denied any casualty. “We are in the process of verifying the report of loss of life,” said Divisional Commissioner SM Raju, who, along with engineers of the Water Resources Department, was keeping a tab on the rise of water level and also supervising the rescue operation.

Rescue operations

After Nitish ordered relief and rescue operation on war-footing, two contingents of Army and 90 BSF jawans with motorboats and life jackets were pressed into service.

Senior engineers were also rushed to the affected areas to plug the breach with sand bags, stone carters and bamboo pilings.

Meanwhile, road link between Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur was badly affected after the flood water submerged National Highway 104 near Sonebarsa.

Approach roads to the villages from block headquarters in the interiors too have been washed away.

While many have shifted to safer places, the rest have taken shelter on some nearby embankment.

Two-line heading for cut-off story

The entire Jharkhand has been declared drought-hit following scanty rainfall. The decision was taken at a meeting of the advisory council of the governor on Saturday, a Raj Bhavan release said, reports PTI from Ranchi.

Earlier, the council had announced 11 of the 24 districts of the state as drought-hit.

In the face of severe drought, it was decided to distribute grains free of cost to BPL families, besides setting up of grain godowns at district and block headquarters.

The administration has also decided to allot 12,500 new ration shops to BPL women and self-help groups.

The council has asked the administration to strengthen the PDS through doorstep delivery by August 5.

The administration has approved Rs 11.19 crore for the implementation of these welfare measures, the release said.