PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level meeting regarding flooding in 10 districts of the state, where most of the rivers were flowing above the danger mark. Around 25 lakh people have been affected by the deluge.
CM Nitish directed the officials concerned to remain alert and make necessary arrangements for the flood victims. Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar are among the worst-affected districts.
During the meeting, CM was briefed by officials about the steps taken by the district administration. The officials informed the CM that 16 teams of NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into service to rescue people from flood-affected areas and shift them to safer places.
The officials told the CM that the situation worsened in some districts due to torrential rains during the past 24 hours. While some rivers were in spate, incessant rains added to the woes of the people. Over 1,200 country boats have been engaged in rescue work.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the CM directed the district magistrates of flood-affected areas to prepare a list of flood-affected people and provide them with relief assistance at the earliest. However, no deaths have been reported in any district, the release claimed.
CM was expected to conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit districts, but it was deferred due to some unavoidable reasons. CM directed the officials to ensure payment to farmers against loss of standing crops due to floods.
Rivers such as Ganga, Bagmati, Kosi, Punpun and Ghaghra are flowing above danger level at several places. Heavy downpour in the catchment areas of Nepal has led to a rise in the water level of these rivers, officials told the CM at the review meeting.
The officials of the rural works department and road construction department were directed to ensure the repair of damaged roads in flood-hit districts.