Jitan Ram Manjhi reviews flood situation as death toll rises to 16 in Bihar

Toll due to floods in Bihar rose to 16 with fresh deaths reported in Nalanda and elsewhere in the state even as the state government is preparing the details of damage due to inundation for acquiring central assistance.

Two deaths were reported in Nalanda since on Wednesday while other cases of drowning or house collapse were recorded elsewhere in the state, Principal Secretary Disaster Management Department (DMD), Vyasji said.

Ten deaths were recorded across 14 flood-hit districts till Tuesday, Vyasji said adding that the break-up in casualty figures would be received only later in the day.

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manhi on Wednesday held a video-conference with district magistrates of the flood-affected districts to review relief and evacuation measures and also to assess damage caused due to floods, which would be submitted to the central government for assistance. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Bihar tomorrow for taking stock of the situation in the wake of floods.

Manjhi told reporters that he will discuss flood-related issues with Singh on Tuesday evening.

Manjhi called for "utmost caution" and ordered full-fledged relief operations including food grain distribution, as well as repair of the road network washed away.

"Food grain relief distribution should be given priority and the district administration should provide all help to the flood-hit persons. We will also focus on the repair and restoration of the rural, state, National Highways washed away in the floods, and ask the Centre to help in it," Manjhi told reporters.

WRD Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and Disaster Management Department (DMD) Principal Secretary Vyasji was present with him on the occasion.

Manjhi expressed satisfaction over the information provided by the district magistrates but pointed out that there seemed to be lack of coordination between the administration and the WRD.

"There seems to be a lack of coordination between district officials and WRD. If there is better coordination between the district administration and the WRD, then the river embankments will not get breached," added Manjhi.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to maintain high alert for three flood-prone districts - Sheikhpura, Sitamarhi, Khagaria - till September end.