Patna, Sept. 7 -- Around 29.13 lakh people have been affected by floods in Bihar as overflowing rivers inundated large swathes in 13 districts, officials said on Monday.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who inspected community kitchens in relief camps for flood victims in Vaishali and Saran, directed officials to ensure prompt relief and rescue operations.
Officials said 190 community kitchens are being run in various flood-hit districts, while 1,429 boats have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations.
The CM and his deputy Vijay Kumar Choudhary inspected some community kitchens, and directed the local authorities to continuously monitor river embankments and keep a close watch on vulnerable areas. Samrat Choudhary, later in a social media post, said, "I stand with the people through every challenge and at every step. I visited flood-affected areas of Vaishali and Saran and inspected relief camps in Hajipur and Sonpur, where I interacted with residents, reviewed arrangements, served food and shared a meal with them."
Financial assistance was provided to the disaster victims, while affected farmers will receive due compensation for crop losses, he said, adding that every effort will be made to ensure public safety and effective relief operations.
Authorities have already sounded an alert in downstream areas of the Ganga after the river touched its highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna.
Fed by heavy rainfall, rivers have swollen and inundated villages in 13 districts, affecting 29.13 lakh people, officials said.
The state received 75.9 mm of rain in September to date, which is 45 per cent above the normal.
Engineers have been asked to keep resources and machinery ready, while people in flood-prone areas have been advised to avoid going near rivers, they said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.