With 17 more deaths, Bihar flood toll up to 123

PATNA: The flood situation in the state worsened on Wednesday following heavy rain in the catchment areas of Bihar-bound rivers in Nepal as well as certain parts of north Bihar in the last 36 hours. The water level of several rivers, including Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati and Burhi Gandak, has increased following incessant rain in Nepal.
The state disaster management department (DMD) reported 17 more deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 123 on Wednesday. The DMD had reported 106 deaths in the 12 flood-hit districts on Tuesday. Sitamarhi is worst affected with maximum 37 deaths, followed by Madhubani (30), Araria (12) and Darbhanga and Sheohar (10 each) and Purnia (nine).
A Water Resources Department (WRD) official said heavy rainfall in Nepal since Monday is bound to worsen the situation in Bihar. A WRD report said the water level in major rivers was still rising and spreading to new areas, forcing people to take shelter at safer places.
With floodwaters spreading to two new panchayats, the number of flood affected panchayats increased to 1,240 from 1238 on Tuesday. Over 81.57 lakh population has been affected in the 12 districts of Sitamarhi, Sheohar, East Champaran, Madhubani, Araria, Kishanganj, Supaul, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Katihar and Purnia.
Sitamarhi district administration is running altogether 39 relief camps where over 21,000 people have taken shelter.