Patna, July 19: There has been no let up in the flood situation in Bihar today with all major rivers maintaining a rising trend and crossing the danger mark at several points following moderate to heavy rains in their catchment areas even as Chief Minister Rabri Devi directed the authorities to further intensify relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit 13 districts. Official sources said standing crops and property worth over Rs two crore have been destroyed by the floods which had affected nearly two million people and claimed 31 lives. The state relief and rehabilitation department had already released around Rs eight crore for distribution of relief among the marooned people, the sources said, adding Chief Minister Rabri Devi had asked the district authorities to step up relief and rescue operations, including engaging boats to evacuate the people from flood-hit areas. Around two million people were affected by floods in Madhubani, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, east and West Champaran, Saran, Siwan, Supaul, Kishanganj, Khagaria and Saharsa districts.

Meanwhile, central water commission sources said all the major rivers were maintaining rising trend. While Burhi Gandak crossed its danger level by 88 cm and 106 cm at Samastipur, the Bagmati was flowing above danger mark at Benibad and Hayaghat, Adhwara Group of rivers overtopped the red mark by 33cm and 45 cm at Kamtaul and Ekmighat. Kosi was flowing 77 cm above the danger mark at Baltara.

The sources claimed that all the major embankments in the state were safe and round-the-clock vigil was being kept at places where rivers were maintaining constant pressure.
Bureau Report