Bihar floods claim 30 lives: CM, private entities launch relief efforts; here is how you can help

Torrential rain and resultant floods have claimed 29 lives across Bihar, apart from causing damage to property and displacing thousands of people. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing, with the NDRF and SDRF rescuing people marooned inside their homes, distributing food packets, drinking water and essential medicines.

Indian Air Force helicopters are also dropping relief materials in flooded areas, even as heavy duty pumps brought from Coal India’s Chhattisgarh unit are expected to drain out about 3,000 gallons of water per minute by Wednesday. According to the state disaster management department, a total of 14 districts, most situated along the river Ganga, have been hit by a flood-like situation.

#WATCH People move to safer places on JCB machines and tractors in Kankarbagh area of Patna. #BiharFloods pic.twitter.com/oyDZCElvC0

— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2019

Social organisations like the Patna Sahib Gurudwara are organising community kitchens in several parts of the city. The Centre has dispatched 20 NDRF teams, comprising about 900 rescue persons, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar started a relief fund.

The Bihar government has issued the following emergency helpline numbers:

BUIDCO (18003456130)

PMC (18003456644)

District administration (0612-2219810, 0612-2294204 and 0612-2294205).

State water resources minister Sanjay Kumar Jha launched the hashtag #BiharFloodRescue, urging urging all those who need any sort of help to share their location with him and has assured prompt help from his side.

Every life is precious & we've been working round-the-clock in providing rescue services. Anyone in need of help can contact me on #SocialMedia. I have launched a special hashtag #BiharFloodRescue for both Twitter & FB. Share your location with me. I shall ensure quick action. pic.twitter.com/L8bOcYWWTZ

— Sanjay Kumar Jha (@SanjayJhaBihar) September 30, 2019

Private organisations, NGO s and citizens are taking to social media platforms to share information regarding ways to help those impacted by the floods and the prevailing situations across various localities.

Important.

In addition to #AssamFloodRelief, we have also opened contributions for #BiharFloodRelief on the Paytm App. Let us all contribute generously to help those in need and spread the word. 🔃

— Paytm (@Paytm) July 17, 2019

#BiharFloods
Flood-affected 370 families provided with food packets in Adalatgunj, Khetari Mohalla and Kankarbagh slum area in flood-hit Patna with support from our volunteers and our ally Koshish. pic.twitter.com/4ult9SqUOa

— ActionAid Association (@ActionAidIndia) October 1, 2019

#patnafloods
Sattu, chura,gud and drinking water distributed today pic.twitter.com/DsP3NWuMI4

— M (@Mudita2021) September 30, 2019

You can donate via Zomato. And we did this today.. https://t.co/HF1bKDsMp8 pic.twitter.com/V4xXzwK1BS

— M (@Mudita2021) September 30, 2019

Till Monday night, Indian Railways have cancelled 13 long-distance trains while 20 other trains have been diverted. Railway tracks at Patna Junction and several other places were submerged. While the rains have reportedly stopped in some parts of Bihar, the IMD has issued a red alert and heavy rains are predicted. Several major airlines including GoAir, SpiceJet and IndiGo have issued travel advisories to passengers asking them to check their flight status before heading for the airport.

#6ETravelAdvisory: #PatnaRains, there could be heavy traffic en route to the airport. Passengers are advised to keep extra time in hand and check your flight status at https://t.co/F83aKzKjyO.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) September 29, 2019

With inputs from agencies