Bihar flood situation still grim; major rivers in spate

The overall flood situation in Bihar remained grim on Monday with major rivers in spate. Around 1.5 million people have been affected by the deluge in 11 north Bihar districts, where floods have claimed 52 lives so far, official sources said.

"There is no let-up in the overall situation which continues to be grim," said sources from the state water resources department.

Central Water Commission sources said rivers such as Kosi, Bagmati, Mahananda, Kamala Balan and Adhwara group of rivers were in spate following heavy rains in their catchment areas.

Also, relief distribution in some of the flood-hit areas was suspended because of model code for polls coming into force for the by-elections in 18 assembly constituencies of Bihar, said state disaster management department sources.

The 11 districts affected by floods are West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Kishanganj, Gopalganj and Katihar. Standing crops in vast areas and houses worth several crores of rupees have been destroyed in the floods. "All the embankments in Bihar are safe and flood-fighting continues at places where the rivers are putting pressure on their embankments," said sources from the state water resources department.