Bihar :Death toll in flood risen to 91
ANWARUL HODA / PATNA
Over 64 lakh people of 12 districts of Bihar including Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar are reeling under the severe floods. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing. NDRF and Army have been deployed in the affected areas.
Death toll in flood has risen to 91. Maximum number of 30 deaths are from Araria followed by 17 from West Champaran. The state government has announced an ex gratia of 4 lakh rupees to the next of kin of each of the deceased.
Rail and road traffic has been disrupted at several places. Telta Rail bridge between Katihar and New Jalpaiguri was swept away due to ferocious current of flood. All Assam bound trains passing through Katihar has been cancelled.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made his second aerial survey of flood affected Sitamarhi, Darbhanga and Madhubani districts today. He held a review meeting with concerned officials at Darbhanga airport. Mr Kumar instructed them to step up relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
Total 42 trains have been cancelled. Railway Board has decided to cancel all incoming trains from various parts of the country towards North East regions via Katihar or Malda Town till 10 a.m tomorrow.
In West Bengal, around 60,000 people in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts have been affected by deluge with all major rivers in north Bengal flowing above their danger marks.
Eastern Railway chief public relations officer R Mahapatra said in Kolkata that a number of trains originating from the city were cancelled yesterday as flood water was flowing above rail tracks in areas under North East Frontier Railway jurisdiction.