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Nitish orders probe into breach

Shoumojit Banerjee

PATNA: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday ruled out the possibility of “sabotage” while ordering “a thorough probe” by Water Resource Department officials into the cause of the breaching of the Rs. 792 crore Bagmati embankment.

It was breached despite claims by the district administration and engineers that there was no threat to it from the rising levels of the Bagmati River till last Friday.

“We are not taking cognisance of any authorities who may have hinted at sabotage. I have directed a thorough probe to be made, only after which we shall draw conclusions,” Mr. Kumar said.

Muzzafarpur and Sitamarhi districts, under Tirhut division, have been hit the hardest. The Divisional Commissioner and the DIG of Tirhut have also been asked to submit a report at the earliest.

Assuring that the situation was under control, Mr. Kumar said officials from the Water Resources Department were already overseeing repair work. One quintal of rice was being provided to every flood-afflicted family, and polythene sheets were being distributed.

“Road communications have been disrupted and water is still overflowing in two or three places on the road [NH-77]. A relief centre has been set up at Muzzafarpur with provision for meals. We have also instructed the NDRF to provide boats to enter villages and rescue people,” Mr. Kumar said.

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