ANWARUL HODA / PATANA
Flood situation in bordering districts of Purnea, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj in Bihar has aggravated following heavy rains during the last 24 hours . Heavy discharge of water from Nepal has also worsened the situation. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held an emergency meeting and instructed officers to send NDRF and SDRF teams to the affected areas. Chief Minister has talked to PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley for central assistance. He has requested the Centre to provide atleast 10 teams of NDRF and helicopters of Air Force for relief and rescue operation.
Army has been pressed into relief and rescue operations in the flood affected areas of the state. Eighty jawans of Bihar Regimental Centre Danapur have been sent to Kishanganj. They have been instructed to shift affected people to safer places. NDRF teams are carrying out rescue operations in the worst affected Purnea and Katihar districts. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has instructed officials to carry out relief and rescue operations on war foot level.
Meanwhile, north Frontier Railway has cancelled 17 trains in view of over topping of railway track between Panipara and Hatwar. Rail track between Jogbani and Forbeesganj is also flooded. 36 trains have been stopped at various trains and one dozen trains have returned to its originating stations.Trains coming from Guwahati are terminating at New Jalpaiguri. No train is allowed to carry onward journey from Katihar station.
Flood waters, which mainly came from neighbouring Nepal, are rising fast and affecting lakhs of people in these four districts.Grim Flood situation in these districts. Water level increasing by the hour Lakhs of people homeless and hungry Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday sought help of the Army and Air Force.
Nitish spoke to PM Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh and defence minister Arun Jaitley this morning and briefed them about the flood scenario in Bihar.
“The food situation is very grim. I requested the PM and home minister to provide every possible assistance from the Centre to rescue the affected people. I have also requisitioned Army and sought deployment of Air Force helicopters for rescue and relief operations,” Nitish said, adding that both the PM and home minister have assured to provide all possible assistance.