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Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
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National

Army joins rescue operation

K. Balchand

Over 2 million affected as flood situation worsens in Bihar

— PHOTO: AP

Flood fury: A rail track swept away by floodwaters in Madhepura district of Bihar on Tuesday.

PATNA: The Army on Tuesday joined the rescue operations in the flood-hit Bihar, where over two million people are reeling under its impact. The breach in the Kosi embankment continued to widen, letting out more water.

The river started swelling, marooning people for the first time after the embankment was constructed to protect the region.

The authorities are hoping that the flood water does not impact the Bhimnagar barrage as that could be prove to be more disastrous.Thousands continue to be marooned with no help from any quarter, either in the form of relief or rescue operation.

Death toll

The official death toll was put at 42, though people fear that the breach could have washed away hundreds of people.

Having battled the situation with three IAF helicopters, the State government, which was being blamed for the breach, has sought the Army’s help.

The first lot of 10 Army motor boats was pressed into service on Tuesday to rescue people. In several villages, people have been on tree tops for almost a week now.

Two more sections of 10 motor boats each of the Army are scheduled to join the rescue operation in the next couple of days. The three IAF helicopters were dropping food packets and one of them was said to have been grounded for repairs.

In Madhepura, the affected people let the water out by breaching the protective canal walls at two places, resulting in a clash with people on the other side on Tuesday. One person was killed and four sustained injuries.

For the first time in the State’s history, about 550 inmates of the Madhepura Jail were evacuated to Saharsa on Tuesday as the cells were inundated.

The alleged failure to provide relief has caused the outbreak of epidemic and three people have reportedly fallen victim to diarhoea in Naugachia, while four others were admitted to hospitals.

The government has decided to hold an all-party meeting on August 29.

Ruling party legislators and MPs were attacked by the affected people.

The government’s effort to spruce up the administration after transferring errant officials has not yielded any desired result.

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