New Delhi (PTI): The Centre on Saturday rushed one army column and three army medical teams to Bihar to assist the state government in carrying out relief measures in the flood-hit areas as the National Crisis Management Committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary reviewed the flood situation.

Besides, two helicopters were sent to the state in addition to the five choppers already provided for relief and rescue operations, it was officially stated.

The Centre also despatched 84 boats in addition to 118 vessels already deployed in the affected areas.

The state government has been requested to indicate its requirement of tarpaulin tents and galvanised iron sheets, even as 1,097 additional tents have been sent to set up temporary shelters.

On an advice of the Union Home Ministry, Relief Commissioners of adjoining states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa are providing relief material like boats and tents.

The Gujarat Relief Commissioner has also offered to provide 12 motorised boats with crew to the state government.

In an effort to prevent outbreak of epidemics and water borne diseases like cholera and typhoid, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has issued instructions for supply of two crore halogen tablets.

Since floods in Bihar are mostly caused by rainfed rivers originating from Nepal, the Union Water Resources Ministry has constituted a high-level team to coordinate with Nepal for repair and strengthening of the barrage on river Kosi.

The team has been asked to suggest remedial measures to the Bihar government also for repair of the barrage, a statement said here.

Six supervisory teams have been formed for day to day coordination between state engineers, Ganga Flood Control Commission and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu for smooth work to plug the two-and-a-half km breach in the Kosi embankment.