Date:02/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/02/stories/2008090260471200.htm

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Central team for Bihar

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: A Central team comprising Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar, Defence Secretary Vijay Singh and senior Army officials will conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Bihar on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Navy deployed men and material from three commands and the Army rushed 16 columns of 120 men each in addition to the 21 columns already deployed in the calamity-hit zone.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, announced that the armed forces would distribute two days of their rations to the flood-affected.

Union Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the resources from public sector undertakings under his Ministry would be mobilised to rush relief material, including pipes and iron sheets.

The armed forces activated the airstrip in Purnea and are operating round the clock from the Patna airport. The Kochi-based Southern Naval Command joined its counterparts from Mumbai and Visakhapatnam by sending a specialist team of 46 personnel.

Led by Lt. Cdr. A.H. Naqvi, the team primarily consists of naval divers as well as paramedical staff. Meanwhile, a team comprising Leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani, Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and other National Democratic Alliance leaders will visit the State on Tuesday.