Patna, July 11: The flood situation in Bihar remained grim today with major rivers in spate disrupting surface communication with the northeastern states, official sources said. The floods have claimed 13 lives so far and affected nearly one million people in Madhubani, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Saran, Saharsa, Supaul, Purnea, Kishanganj, West and East Champaran districts. The state Building Construction Minister Taslimuddin and Kishangunj district magistrate K S Kumar had a miraculous escape when a motor boat carrying them during its inaugural run was caught in a whirlpool last evening in the midstream of river Mahananda. The motor boat would be used to evacuate the flood-hit people to safer places, the sources said. Bureau Report