Bihar: Flood situation turned grim after heay rains in Nepal

In Bihar, flood situation turned grim following heavy rains in catchment areas of Nepal during the last 48 hours. Water level of several rivers including Bagmati, Gandak and Kosi is increasing. In view of this, the State Government issued an alert in riverside areas of the state. People who are living in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer places. According to a release issued by the department, 85.60 lakh people, spread across villages falling under 1,253 Panchayats of 111 blocks in 13 districts, are affected by floods. Located at the state's northwestern tip, West Champaran district was the worst hit. In Bettiah town near the Indo-Nepal border, the Collectorate building was inunducated. Elsewhere in the district, a Sashastra Seema Bal camp was flooded.

Surging waters of rivers has engulfed fresh areas of Khagaria, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur. Sitamarhi and Madhubani remain the worst affected districts with 37 and 30 deaths respectively and together accounting for more than 30 lakh of people hit by the calamity, the release said. Met Department has predicted medium to heavy rainfall in catchment areas of various rivers in next three days. Sixteen teams of NDRF and SDRF have been pressed into relief and rescue operations. Medical teams have been deployed in affected areas for COVID vaccination.