Lakhs of people rendered homeless due to floods in Bihar

Patna, July 15 (HS): The opposition on Monday vociferously raised in the state assembly the issue of deteriorating flood situation in Bihar which has affected lakhs of people in northern districts and held demonstration outside the legislature. They accused the government of doing little for rescue and relief and said huge funds were being siphoned off in the name of flood protection works.

The opposition also wanted to bring an adjournment motion but it was not permitted.

Alok Mehta of RJD said floods have created havoc due to government negligence. “Dozens of embankments has breached, lakhs of people rendered homeless and there is no proper arrangement for their rescue and relief. Government is not doing its duty and people are facing problems.”

Bhai Birendra of the same party said, more than nine districts were reeling under the fury of floods. “In every monsoon season embankments breach which results into flooding of hundreds of villages,” he said and accused government of embezzlement of funds in the name of flood protection schemes, strengthening of embankments and relief and rescue operations.

He demanded that the expenditure should be brought in public domain.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modfi in the legislative council informed the members that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was personally monitoring the flood situation and was doing aerial survey of the flood affected areas since Sunday.

Meanwhile, three more deaths were reported from Motihari on Monday as people drowned in the flood water. Reports said five villagers were going to their fields in Banjaria area they drowned in the submerged fields while two managed to swim out.

Disaster management department reported that nine districts were reeling under floods in north Bihar and about 18 lakh people were badly affected. It said 152 relief camps have been set up where more than 45,000 people have taken shelter.

The affected districts are Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sheohar, East Champaran, Araria, Kishanganj, Supaul and Muzaffarpur of which 352 panchayats are worst affected.

The rivers including Kosi, Kamla Balan, Bagmati, Bhutahi Balan and Adhwara group of rivers were in spate and flowing above danger mark. Following the release of water from Nepal, the embankment on Kamla Balan breached at four places in Taradih block as a result water gushed into nine blocks and left several villages marooned.

The breach in embankments in Kishanganj, Sitamarhi, Darbahnga, Madhubani and Champaran were also reported.

CM Nitish Kumar during his meeting with officials in flood affected areas directed them to speed up rescue and relief works and also said to set up relief camps and community kitchens, in flood affected areas.