The Hindu : National : Bihar flood situation worsens

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Friday, Jul 14, 2006

National

National

Bihar flood situation worsens

K. Balchand

With Nepal releasing water from barrage, situation threatens to become grave

PHOTO: PTI

Patients lie in a water-logged ward in a clinic in Patna on Thursday.

Patna: The flood situation in Bihar has worsened following incessant rain in the past three days. With Nepal releasing water from the Gandak barrage the condition threatens to become grave.

The State Government has sounded a red alert in East Champaran district following the release of water by Nepal. The rising water level has snapped the road link between Motihari and Sugauli blocks. People in several other blocks of the district are moving out and seeking refuge on high grounds or embankments.

Life is as miserable in districts like Samastipur, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi, with several embankments coming under pressure from the rising rivers. Desperate efforts are being made to prevent the breaches.

With the Morhar River topping the road, communication between Patna and Jehanabad stands suspended. More than three lakh people are reeling under the impact of the floods. Life is difficult for people in cities and towns, including the state capital. Almost all localities are inundated, with the administration doing little to clear the drains. Schools have been closed and some of the examinations suspended. The situation is so bad that the Shastri Nagar Police Station located in the VIP area had to abandon its premises.

The Patna High Court has taken serious note of the Government's failure to tackle water-logging and has summoned the officials on July 20 to take stock of the situation.

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