Patna, July 09: At least 11 people have perished in the current spell of floods in Bihar as the overall situation deteriorated with rain-fed rivers inundating fresh areas in Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sheohar, Saran, East and West Champaran districts. Official sources said while Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi accounted for a maximum number of three deaths each, Madhubani reported two deaths, and one person each died in Darbhanga, Sheohar and East Champaran districts over the past one week due to floods.
The sources claimed that yesterday's drowning of three girls in a pond in Samastipur was not related to floods. Meanwhile, the situation in Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul and West Champaran districts worsened following heavy rains in the catchment areas of rivers like Bagmati, Kamala Balan, Kosi, Burhi Gandak and Adhwara which submerged fresh areas. Flood water had also inundated low-lying areas in Motihari town.
According to a Central Water Commission report, Bagmati was flowing 53 cm above the danger mark at Benibad and Burhiganda had crossed the red level at Lalbagia Ghat, Sikandarpur, Samastipur and Rosera by 19 cm, 4 cm, 29 cm and 40 cm respectively. Adhwara was also flowing above the danger level at Kamtau and Ekmighat, it said.
Meanwhile, strict vigil is being maintained on embankments under pressure from swollen rivers. Bureau Report