Bihar Floods: Death Toll Rises to 130, PM Assures Help from Centre

Around 88.46 lakh people have been affected due to inundation, state disaster management department said.

Over 25 lakh people been affected by the floods across 12 districts

(Photo Courtesy: IANS)

The death toll in Bihar floods rose to 130 with 13 districts remaining under flood waters in the state, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday, 30 July.

Around 88.46 lakh people have been affected due to inundation of at least 13 districts, state disaster management department said.

On Monday, 29 July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy, Sushil Mod about the flood situation in the state.

After the death figure remained unchanged at 127 for three consecutive days, the count increased to 130 on Tuesday.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE AFFECTED REGIONS?

Two fresh casualties have been reported from Darbhanga while one death took place in Supaul.

Sitamarhi, with 37 casualties, topped the list of casualties due to floods followed by Madhubani (30), Darbhanga (14), Araria (12), Sheohar (10) Purnea (nine), Kishanganj (seven), Muzaffarpur and Supaul (four each), East Champaran (two) and Saharsa (one).

Two of the marooned districts - Katihar and West Champaran - have reported no deaths till date, the department said.

According to Water Resources department daily bulletin, five rivers- Baghmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan, Adhwara and Khiroi- are flowing above their danger level at nine places in Bihar.

As per Meteorological department's forecast, light rainfall is expected in the catchment areas of all the rivers of Bihar in the next 24 hours.

WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN THUS FAR?

Rehabilitation work is going on in full swing as food and other relief material are being airdropped by two helicopters of the Indian Air Force, pressed into service by the Central Air Command headquartered in Allahabad, the release said.

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

In addition, 19 teams of the NDRF, equipped with its own paraphernalia, are assisting the civil administration in carrying out rescue operations. The state government has deployed 900 personnel with 133 boats, on its part, in the flood-affected areas.

Food is being prepared at 888 community kitchens for the flood-hit people, including more than 6,000 displaced who are taking shelter at 10 relief camps, the Disaster Management Department said.

Meanwhile, people living in the marooned areas presented a picture of fortitude in the face of nature's fury, as they were seen trying to get on with life, building make-shift bamboo bridges across swollen rivulets and canals, and wading through knee-deep waters on foot or atop bicycles and motorcycles.

WHAT ARE THE LEADERS SAYING?

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told the state assembly that his government will be writing to the Centre to send a team to "assess the damage" caused by the calamity, and "provide assistance as they deem fit".

Kumar made the statement on the final day of the monsoon session in response to a query from senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who had sought to know whether any demand for central assistance has been made by the state government.

“Currently, we are carrying out relief and rescue work from our own resources. The assessment for flood damage is being done. A memorandum will be sent to the central government after which a team will visit the state to assess the damage and provide assistance which they deem fit.”

Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar

The Opposition had also staged a protest outside Assembly over the flood situation in the state on 16 July.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, appealed to party workers in flood-hit Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura and Mizoram to help in relief efforts.

(With inputs from PTI.)