Bihar flood toll mounts to 57

PATNA, SEPT. 11. The toll in the current spell of floods in Bihar today rose to 57 and the overall flood situation continued to be grim with the army carrying out relief operations in the worst- hit Gopalganj and Saran districts, official sources said.

With reports of seven more deaths from Gopalganj, the home district of the Chief Minister, Mrs. Rabri Devi, and two more from Saran, the toll in the recent spell of flood mounted to 57.

The breach in the embankment of Burhi Gandak in Muzaffarpur and 110-feet breach in the Champaran embankment of river Gandak on Sunday night had worsened the flood situation in Muzaffarpur, east and west Champaran districts.

The State Water Resources Department sources said other vital embankments were safe though erosions were taking place. Army personnel had stepped up relief operations in Marhaura block in Saran and Gopalganj districts.

Threat continues in U.P.

In Gorakhpur division of Uttar Pradesh, though the Rapti river began receding, threat continues with the Ghagra and Narayani rivers rising following discharge of water from Nepal.

Residents say they have been forced to drink the dirty flood water. The current spell of floods have claimed 65 lives in Gorakhpur division and damaged crops worth about Rs. 42 crores. About 2.3 million people in 1800 villages have been affected and 900 villages completely marooned.

The government said it has disbursed Rs. 1.17 crores to the affected populace and roped in the army and provincial armed constabulary to help in the ongoing relief measures. Road communication between Gorakhpur and Sonauli, Gorakhpur-Lucknow and Gorakhpur-Varanasi were still disrupted due to seepage in the embankments.

- PTI, UNI.

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