PM to take on-the-spot stock of flood-ravaged Bihar

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accompanied by JD (U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav will on Thursday undertake an aerial survey to take stock of the flood-ravaged Bihar. A hefty relief package is being expected to be issued from the Centre after Dr. Singh’s on-the-spot assessment of the grim situation and reviewing the relief and rescue measures launched by the state government.

Gauging the scary scenes created by the unparallel flood that has affected 15 districts and engulfed three-Madhepura, Supaul and Araria- of them, all opponent political parties cutting across ideological barriers this time has joined hands seeking an enormous relief package.

On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar met the Prime Minister here and urged him to sanction central assistance of Rs 1000 crore and one lakh metric tonnes of rice immediately for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-ridden people in north Bihar.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of UPA parties in Bihar led by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav also met with Dr. Singh and demanded massive relief package for the disaster caused by the flood. He sought assistance of Air Force helicopters to be pressed into rescue measures.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and NDA’s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani also met with the prime minister and urged him to treat the flood as a “national calamity” and bear the full burden of the relief and rehabilitation operations.

Terming the flood as an “extraordinary natural disaster” Advani cautioned all political parties to spare from doing politics in dealing with relief and rehabilitation matters. The first and foremost consideration of all political parties at this moment should be to save lives and alleviate the suffering of the people, he said.

Advani also sought the central government to coordinate with each other in finding a permanent solution to the problem. “After the immediate tasks of evacuation and relief are over, the central and state governments, in cooperation with all the political parties, should seriously consider putting in place an effective long-term strategy about the management of floods,” he stated.

Nitish Kumar also sought the same-permanent solution to the problem-in consultation with Nepal. He wanted the prime minister to immediately made available the state a sufficient number of motor boats without any delay. He also demanded adequate number of tents and other shelter materials so as to provide people a temporary refuge.

As the course of river has changed the waters are likely to stay for sometime, he said adding that he already appealed to people of the flood-affected areas to leave the place and take shelter to the relief camps set by the state government.

Over 20 lakh people have been badly affected by the flood occurred owing to breach at the Bhim Nagar embankment of the Kosi river near Kusaha in Nepal on August 18. The Army was called out to save the marooned people. 55 people so far have been died.

According to the Central Water Commission, the Kosi, Ganga, Ghaghra, Punpun and Burhi Gandak are flowing above the danger level at several places.

The flood have affected 15 districts - Muzaffarpur, Patna, Katihar, Nalanda, West Champaran, Khagaria, Sheikhpura, Purnia, Saran, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura and Araria. Among them the last three are worst hit by the dreaded deluge, where roads and railway lines at several places have broken restricting the normal movement of vehicles.

Despite of the hard work by the state government, relief measures are only proving to be a drop in the ocean viewing the massive destruction caused by the flood. The constant heavy rain is further worsening the already grim situation.