PM to visit flood-hit Bihar

The PM will fly over north Bihar which has borne the worst brunt of the current spell of floods in the state leaving millions affected.

With Bihar reeling under devastating floods, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undertake a day-long aerial survey on Thursday of the worst-affected areas to assess the damage caused by the swirling flood waters of major rivers in the state.

HT Image

The Prime Minister will fly over north Bihar which has borne the worst brunt of the current spell of floods in the state leaving millions affected.

Singh's visit follows demands by Bihar leaders cutting across party lines that the Prime Minister must assess the situation himself and sanction enough Central funds to tide over the problem.

After making an aerial survey, Singh is scheduled to review the relief and rescue measures launched by the state government at a high-level meeting with senior officials.

A delegation of UPA parties in Bihar led by RJD chief Lalu Prasad had called on Singh yesterday to apprise him of the grim flood situation in state and seek a massive relief package from the Centre.

Besides requesting the Prime Minister to visit Bihar, Prasad had asked UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to visit the state and take stock of the flood situation in large areas of the state.