Death toll in Bihar flood mounts to 38

Patna: Twelve more persons died in the floods in Bihar, which have affected 28.20 lakh people across 12 districts, taking the toll to 38 even as the overall situation remained grim in the state.

The disaster management department in its statement said all 12 fresh deaths had taken place in Katihar district.

Eight persons lost their lives in Supual district followed by Purnea seven while Kisanganj reported five deaths, Madhepura three and Saharsa, Araria and Gopalganj one each.

Fed by heavy rain in the terai region of Nepal, Ganga river at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district remained above the danger mark.

The other rivers Ghaghra-Darauli and Gangpur-Siswan were flowing above danger level in Siwan disrict while the Adhwara group of rivers was above danger level in Darbhanga, Bagmati- Benibad in Muzaffarpur district and Mahananda in Purnea.

The 12 affected districts are Purnea, Kisanganj, Araria, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Saharsa, Supual, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran.

Farm produce in an area of 3.39 lakh hectares has been damaged so far as per the survey, the release said. A total of 416 relief camps were functioning in flood-hit areas, giving shelter to 3,66,819 citizens even as 175 medical teams were providing their services.

Arrangements have been made for food and other items with 5,866 quintal of flattened rice, 1114.50 quintal jaggery, 9.15 lakh matchsticks, 3,540 candles, besides 89,550 litre of kerosene oil, polythene sheets 48,298 and 1,63,563 seats and food packets among others, it added.

The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) personnel have been deployed in the flood-affected areas.