Bihar flood toll rises to 482; 101 dead in UP

As many as 42 deaths in flood-related incidents were reported from Bihar in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 482, while five persons lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh, pushing the flood toll in that state to 101.

The situation in flood-hit Assam though improved substantially and in north Bengal, the flood waters had receded from most of the areas in the six flood-hit districts.

As many as 1.71 crore people in 19 districts of Bihar were still affected by the deluge, officials said.

A total of 187 blocks and 2,371 panchayats were affected by the flood, a state Disaster Management department release said, adding that the number of relief camps had come down to 222, where 1.44 lakh people had taken shelter.

Araria district alone accounted for 95 deaths, followed by Sitamarhi (46), Purnea (44), Katihar (40), West Champaran (36), East Champaran (32), Darbhanga (30), Madhubani (28), Madhepura (25), Kishanganj (24), Gopalganj (20), Supual (16), Saran (13), Muzaffarpur (9), Saharsa (8), Khagaria (8), Sheohar (6) and Samastipur (2).

The flood waters, however, had receded at some places, prompting many to return home, officials said.