Flood situation in Bihar 'critical', 95 deaths already reported

Patna: The flood situation in Bihar remained critical on Sunday with four more deaths reported from Katihar district, taking the toll to 95. The State Disaster Management department said 33 lakh people have been hit by the flood in 14 districts. [caption id=“attachment_2931156” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. PTI[/caption] Purnia district accounts for the highest number of deaths at 28 followed by Araria (21), Katihar (19), Supaul (8), Kishanganj (5), Gopalganj and Madhepura (4 each), Darbhanga (3) and Muzaffarpur, Saran and Saharsa (1 each). The swollen Mahananda, Bakhra, Kankai, Parmar, Koshi rivers have inundated parts of Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Saharsa, Supual, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur and Saran districts affecting a staggering 33 lakh people. The water level in the Ganga and Ghaghra river has crossed the danger mark in Bhagalpur and Siwan districts, and that in Koshi river in Katihar and Khagaria districts. While the flood has inundated six lakh hectare area, crops were damaged in two lakh hectare and the authorities are assessing the quantum of losses, DMD said. As many as 16,361 houses and hutments have been damaged in the deluge, causing a loss of Rs 3.52 crore to the residents, while the loss to public properties was being assessed. The state government has pressed into service 1,490 boats for evacuation of the marooned people. 6.41 lakh have been shifted from flooded areas and 3.86 lakh of them brought to 464 relief camps set up for displaced people. Altogether 224 medical teams have been deployed to treat sick people at relief camps and around flooded areas. Elaborate arrangements have been made so that food and other relief materials reach the affected people. NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service for rescue and relief works, DMD said.