Bihar flood toll rises to 98, situation worsens in 3 districts

The flood situation today worsened in three districts of Bihar where the toll rose to 98 after two more deaths, official sources said.

The deceased drowned in flood waters at Kamtaul and Brahmpur in Darbhanga district, official sources said.

Of the 98 deaths, 14 were reported from Bhagalpur, 12 from Bhojpur, 10 from Samastipur, 9 from Saharsa and 11 from Begusarai and eight each in West Champaran and Lakhisarai.

Six persons each died in Khagaria and Madhubani districts, four in Vaishali, three in Madhepura, two each in Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur districts, one each in Patna, Purnea and Supaul, they said.

The situation worsened in Madhubani, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga districts following rains in the catchment areas of the Adhwara group of rivers in Bihar and Nepal.

More than 150 villages were affected by floods in Kamtaul, Gaurabauram, Jale, Bahadurpur, Hanuman Nagar, Keoti, Darbhanga Sadar and Singhwara of Darbhanga district.

Sources said Bagmati and Khiroi rivers breached the Neema embankment under Hanuman Nagar block in the district leading to disruption of vehicular traffic between Darbhanga and Samastipur.

NDRF personnel equipped with 40 boats were engaged in carrying out relief and rescue operations in the district.

In Madhubani, more than 100 villages were affected by flood waters of Adhwara group of rivers under Benipatti, Bisfi and Madhepura, besides Phulparas block in the district, they said.

Several approach roads were damaged and swept away in the swift current of flood waters in the district, they said, adding that villagers held protests against the administration for not providing them adequate relief.

More than 100 villages were submerged as the river embankment eroded at Awapur in Sitamarhi district, forcing thousands of people to take shelter in safer areas.

Flood waters of Bagmati river damaged 681 houses at Bairginiyans and also submerged National Highway-77 in the district, they said.

Central Water Commission sources said the flood waters of Ganga was receding though its level crossed the danger mark at certain points.

Among the flooded rivers, Ganga was flowing 55cm above danger mark at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur while Punpun was flowing 93cm above the danger level at Sripalpur.

Adhwara group of rivers were flowing 24cm above the red mark at Kamtaul and 80cm above the danger mark at Ekmighat, while Kosi crossed the danger level by 70cm at Baltara and 58cm at Kursela.