Major rivers still flow above danger mark in Bihar

DARBHANGA/SITAMARHI/BAGAHA/KHAGARIA: A week on, major rivers continue to inundate large swatches of land in north Bihar districts.
In Darbhanga, a chopper of Indian Airforce arrived at the local airbase on Saturday and was pressed into operation to airdrop ration packets in severely affected areas. DM Thyagrajan S M was present in the chopper during the food-dropping exercise.
In a single sortie, 200 packets were dropped at Sughrain village, 250 packets at Tilkeshwar under Kusheshwar Asthan, 300 packets at Bagdiha village and 300 packets at Chhakar village under Keoti block.
Darbhanga sadar block has become severely affected. Heavy waterlogging was also seen at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday. The floodwaters entered administrative building, medicine and gynaecology departments of the hospital.
Reduction in intensity of rainfall in the last 24 hours gave some respite to people in Sitamarhi district on Saturday. All the major rivers, such as Bagmati, Lalbakeya Jhim, Hardi, Marar, Rato, Manushamara, Adhawara group and Lakhadei were, however, flowing above danger marks at several places. Sonbarsa Parihar, Bathanaha, Dumra, Choraut, Bhokhara, Riga, Suppi, Belsand, Runnisaidpur and Bajpatti blocks remain affected by floods.
Vehicular movement remained stalled on Sitamarhi-Sursand, Sitamarhi-Parihar, Sitamarhi- Sheohar, Sitamarhi-Suppi, Singrahia-Baduri and Lagma-Bhasepur roads after floodwaters overtopped the roads at several places. DM Abhilasha Kumari Sharma said constant vigil was being kept on major embankments.
In West Champaran, around 50,000 people are affected by floodwaters of Gandak and other hilly rivers in Bhitaha, Madhubani, Thakaraha, Yogapatti, Nautan, Bairia, Chanpatia, Majhaulia, Gaunaha, Ramnagar, Bagaha-1, Bagaha-2, Lauria and Mainatard blocks.
Lilawati Devi, mukhiya of Shrinagar panchayat under Thakaraha block, said teh area has become an island and most families have shifted to Patazirwa in Bairia block. “Those who dared to stay at their homes with their domestic cattle have been suffering from cold, fever and foot ulcer,” she said.
In Khagaria district, the flood situation continued to remain grim. The floodwaters of Kosi and Bagmati rivers spread to more areas on Saturday. The floodwaters of Bagmati have entered Rohiyar, Sarsawa, Buchha, Thutthi Mohanpur, Chautham, Madhya Borne and Poorvi Borne panchayats under Chautham block.
Khagaria DM Alok Ranjan Ghosh said at least 88 villages under 27 panchayats have been affected by the current wave of floods. “Altogether 40 boats have been pressed into service for communication and distribution of relief materials. Two companies of State Disaster Response Force are carrying out rescue operations,” the DM added.