Patna, Aug 19: An all-party delegation headed by Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi will leave for New Delhi today to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and seek Central assistance for relief even as the flood situation in Bihar eased with major rivers receding. The Opposition leader in Bihar Assembly S K Modi said that the delegation would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister for initiating a dialogue with Nepal to find a permanent solution to the recurring floods in Bihar. Modi said that the delegation would also stress the need for construction of high dams on the rivers Kosi, Bagmati and Kamala Balan, besides opening the joint regional office of the Sapt Kosi high dam multi-purpose project.
The memorandum would seek Central assistance to meet the damages caused by the devastating floods in Bihar.
State rehabilitation and relief department sources said that around 315 people have lost their lives in the recent floods in Bihar so far.
The army continued to provide relief in the worst-hit districts of Khagaria, Gopalganj, Saran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Sheohar and Samastipur.
Nearly 15 million people have been affected by the floods in more than 8,500 villages spread over 21 districts in the state.
Rivers like Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Gandak, Kosi and Adhwara group of rivers were showing a receding trend easing the flood situation in some parts of the state, Central Water Commission, sources said.
Bureau Report