Flood-hit Bihar stares at epidemics

As at least 200 deaths and 1.5 crore people in 18 districts of Bihar were affected by the flood last week, the government has roped in army personnel for carrying out relief and rescue operations.

Flood water has started receding at several places, but the fear of epidemic has increased. It is believed that complaints of diarrhoea from those residing in makeshift relief camps may increase in the days to come.

Although medical facilities are being provided on a war-footing, handling such a huge number of flood-hit people will be an arduous task.

In a praiseworthy deed, a primary health centre at Lauria block in West Champaran district ensured 43 safe deliveries to pregnant women despite adverse circumstances.

Meanwhile, apart from the 28 NDRF, SDRF and army teams already working in different districts, one more team joined the relief and rescue work in Gopalganj district.

Army personnel have been roped in to revive movement of vehicles on the damaged bridges in Seemanchal areas.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who again undertook an aerial survey of Champaran and other flood-affected areas, said apart from the rural roads, the state highways and national highways, too, had been badly damaged.

Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav confirmed that six bridges in Seemanchal area had been damaged altogether.

“Since concrete bridges damaged due to floods will take time to be rebuilt, we have roped in the army, who will install Bailey bridges so that vehicular movement could start,” said Principal Secretary, Road Construction Department, Amrit Lal Meena.

Meanwhile, movement of traffic on National Highway 31, which connects north India with Guwahati, has restarted with flood water receding.

In the meantime, the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel dropped 2.2 tonnes of dry ration in East Champaran district, where flood victims were earlier protesting non-supply of relief materials.

The IAF men also airlifted 20,000 polythene sheets to Chunapur airbase in Purnia to be distributed among flood-affected families.