Click to play videoPatna: The flood situation in Bihar has worsened with most major rivers in spate following heavy rains in their catchments over the past few days.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the flood situation along with top officials of the state.
The situation had eased a bit in the past fortnight but soon deteriorated in 802 fllood-hit villages of 11 districts of Bihar.
The floods in the eastern state bordering Nepal are a result of the breach in the eastern Kosi embankment in Nepal. The consequent floods in the bordering districts of Bihar have caused widespread havoc.
As the Kosi river races downstream towards the mighty Ganges, lakhs of people are stranded in places where relief is yet to reach.
Scores of people are dead and nearly two million affected. Among the worst hit districts are Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Araria, West Champaran, Purnea, Samastipur and Supaul..
People have been fleeing their villages for higher lands and safety. Even the state’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar went on All India Radio to appeal that people should get out at once.
At a briefing about the measures taken by the government, Nitish Kumar said, “Flood is understatement, it's a disaster. Our top priority at the moment is to evacuate people and bring them to the safer places.” The CM has also sought the Centre’s help. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to survey the situation on Thursday.
The state minister for disaster management, Nitish Mishra highlighted the difficulties faced by the rescue teams. "It is a very difficult situation. The area hasn't seen floods for the past 55 years and therefore people were caught unawares. The army has been called in. Using 300 boats thousand have been evacuated," he said.
Relief and rescue operations are underway. But while the state government is promising swift action, in places like Birpur, help is often coming for a price.
Ranjit Kumar, a flood victim said, “We had to pay the boatman Rs 2000 to be ferried to safety. There has been no help form the administration.”
Another affected resident, Arun Kumar Singh said, “There is no help from the administration at all.”
The army has pressed three air force helicopters into service and have done 40 sorties dropping 17,000 food packets.
Meanwhile, evacuation is proving not just a logistical problem but one of mindsets too. People do not realise that these are not the normal floods they brave each year. In hope that the waters will subside, many are reluctant to be plucked to safety, say rescuers.
The state administration has been caught totally off guard and rescue-relief has been slow.
Ranjeeta Ranjan, an MP from Saharsa said,”Waters are rising, bodies are floating in the water.”
There is no good news forthcoming from the Met office. Forecast says the situation could worsen with heavy to very heavy rain in the region. Excess downpour can magnify the scale of calamity.
Helpline nos are:
0612- 2217305
0612- 2215027
0612- 6452572
You can also email at secy_disaster_bih@nic.in
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