The Hindu : Other States / Bihar News : Floods wreak havoc

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Wednesday, Jun 23, 2004

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Other States - Bihar

Floods wreak havoc

By Our Special Correspondent

PATNA, JUNE 22. The floods have wreaked havoc in a major part of Bihar, particularly in the northern plains, taking a toll of over 30, besides displacing over two lakh people.

While 12 people, including seven children, were feared drowned when a boat capsized in the Sakri river at Bahadurganj Ghat in Nalanda district, 18 people, including four women, were swept away when the pontoon bridge they were traversing over the Kiul river was washed away in Bhagalpur district. One body was recovered from the Dhakai river.

The flood situation has worsened by torrential rains over the past three to four days swelling all the rivers in the State and the Government was racing against time to plug the stress suffered at about 250 points in various embankments of rivers criss-crossing the State.

Over one lakh people have been affected in Banka and Bhagalpur districts due to flash floods yesterday, while in Muzaffarpur district, the Bagmati and Lakhandai rivers have inundated 50 villages in Aurai block throwing into disarray the lives of over 75,000 people.

The Bhutahi Balan and Kosi have disrupted train movements on the Gogardiha-Nirmali section for the past four days now. The Gandak has made life miserable in West Champaran district.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of State for Water Resources Development, Jai Prakash Narain Yadav, has promised to open an office in Nepal for the construction of high dams as a permanent solution. He has called a meeting of his officials in Delhi tomorrow. He also assured the State Government of providing all help to cope with the present situation.

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Floods wreak havoc