Relief and rescue operations continue in flood hit Assam & Bihar. In Bihar, floods have wreaked havoc in ten districts of the state. The worst affected districts are Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Supaul, East and West Champaran. About ten lakh people are reeling under the impact of flood. Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said three helicopters of Indian Air Force have been pressed into service in flood affected areas of the state this afternoon. Dry food along with essential materials are being provided to flood hit people through helicopters. A report says that, relief and rescue operations are on in full swing and 22 teams of NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service. About one lakh affected people have been shifted to safer places and 15 thousand people have taken shelter in 28 relief camps. Vehicular and rail traffic has been disrupted in flood affected areas. Train movements on Darbhanga- Samastipur and Narkatiaganj – Sugauli rail section of East – Central Railway has been suspended. Long route trains have been diverted on alternative routes. A total of 529 Panchayats spread over 74 blocks of ten districts have been affected by the flood waters. The rivers are flowing above danger levels, posing threat to the embankments. According to the Met Department, heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours in the catchment areas of rivers flowing into Bihar from Nepal as well as several districts in north Bihar.
Moreover in Assam, there is no respite from flood fury as several rivers are flowing above the danger level. The current wave of floods has affected 27 lakh people and washed away houses and livestock.
Dhubri, Goalpara and Barpeta are among the worst affected areas. 1.17 lakh hectares of cropped areas are also under water. Relief and rescue works are being carried out by SDRF and NDRF teams. Major portions of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are also under water. Meanwhile, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has informed that priority would be given to flood hit areas in allocating works under MG NREGA.
