Flood water in Bihar recedes, but epidemic fear increases

With more than 200 deaths and 1.5 crore people in 18 Bihar districts affected by the flood in the last one week, the government has roped in Army personnel too for carrying out relief and rescue operations.

The move comes as 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 war-footing, handling such huge number of flood-hit people will be an arduous task. One classic example was reported from Lauria block in West Champaran district where the primary health centre 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 where Ararai, Purnia and Kishanganj districts are the worst-affected.

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

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

“Since concrete bridges damaged due to floods will take the time to be rebuilt, we have roped in Army who will help by installing Bailey bridges so that vehicular movements 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, have re-started with flood water receding. However, several trains connecting N-E with Delhi and passing through Bihar remains cancelled. This includes New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express and Kamakhya Express.

In the meantime, the 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 air base in Purnia to be distributed among flood-affected families.