By IANS,
Patna : Floodwaters continued to create havoc in Bihar as they entered new areas Saturday and the situation remained grim affecting about one million people, officials said.
“Floodwaters have entered the districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Araria, Saran and Bhagalpur. Government agencies are engaged in relief and rescue operations,” an official said.
About one million people in the state have been affected by the floods, which have claimed over 30 lives so far.
The officials said the flood situation was grim in over 900 villages in 12 districts.
Major rivers, including the Ganga, Punpun, Ghaghra, Burhigandak, Bagmati, Kosi and Mahananda, were flowing above the danger mark at several places.
People at several places took shelter on embankments and roads and protested against allegedly inadequate relief materials and government help.
However, state government officials said relief and rescue operations had been going on in full speed for last three days in flood hit districts and hundreds were evacuated to safe places.
“The National Disaster Management Force along with army personnel and air force helicopters are already engaged in providing relief,” the official said.
“The air dropping of relief materials began a day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took a decision to enlist the help of the army and the air force following an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts Wednesday,” the official added.
Nitish Kumar had Thursday asked Minister of State for Diasater Management Nitish Mishra, Water Resources Minister Vijendra Yadav and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Narayan Yadav to camp in Araria, Supaul and Madhepura to monitor the situation.
The government also deputed two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, two officers of the rank of additional district magistrate and three deputy superintendents of police to oversee the relief and rescue operations.