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Flood situation grim in Assam, Bihar
Assam and Bihar continue to be inundated by floods and the railway traffic has also been affected by the floods and the torrential downpour.
Assam and Bihar continue to be inundated by floods and according to official state government sources, the havoc caused by this natural calamity has been devastating in its effect so far.
Twenty-five people have died so far. Five people were washed away on Monday night in Goalpara district where the situation deteriorated during the last 24 hours, while three others died in Kokrajhar district when the boat in which they were shifting to a safer place capsized at Panijani village, the sources said.
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are still flowing above the danger mark in over half of Assam's 27 districts, displacing over two million people. Over four lakh hectares of standing crop and agricultural fields too have been submerged.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi went for an aerial survey of the affected districts late on Monday, and described the situation as grim.
He also confirmed that in view of the damage caused, the Centre had released Rs 181 crore for flood relief measures.
"We have been in constant touch with the Army. In fact without the Army's help it is not possible on our part. The current is so strong that even a speedboat cannot go. Because of the continuous rain, the Air Force sortie also could not go. But we are still trying our level best," Gogoi said.
"We are giving the proposal that there should be a few more battalions raised so that we can utilize their service. A territorial army can be utilised during peace time or for eco conservation," said BK Handique, the Union Minister of State for Defence.
The situation in neighbouring Bihar is also said to be equally grim, with the River Son and its adjoining tributaries playing havoc with lives and crop alike. Railway traffic in both states has also been affected by the floods and the torrential downpour.
The death toll in Bihar has moved to 27 with two deaths being reported from flood-hit Supaul district in past 24 hours, official sources said.
Of the 25 deaths, reported earlier, 18 occurred in worst-hit Sitamarhi district and seven in adjoining Sheohar, both cut off from the rest of the state for the consecutive third day.
