Patna, Sept 23: The death toll in the current spell of floods in Bihar has mounted to 179 even as major rivers, including the Ganga maintained a receeding trend leading to an improvement in the situation in the state.
While six flood related deaths were reported from Vaishali district, three persons were reported dead in Begusarai district since Sunday, official sources said today.

A Hajipur report quoting official sources said six persons died of snake bites in flood waters in different villages of Raja Pakar and Jandah blocks of Vaishali on Sunday. Three persons, including two children, were drowned in the swollen Ganga at Jhamatia village under Baghwara police station of Begusarai district on Sunday night, official sources said.

According to a Central Water Commission bulletin, major rivers like Ganga, Bagmati, Gandak, Adhwara group of rivers were maintaining a receding trend.

Ganga was flowing 64 cm and 42 cm below the danger level at Buxar and Bhagalpur. It was likely to further recede at Buxar, Gandhi Ghat in Patna, Hatidah, Maner, Bhagalpur and Farraka. However, the river was flowing above the red mark at Baltara and Karsela in Khagaria district, it said.

Official sources said the floods in 24 districts of the state has damaged crops worth Rs 58.61 crore.

The state relief and rehabilitation department continued to provide foodgrains and other essential items to the flood-affected people with the help of army, the sources added. Bureau Report