Flood situation improves in Bihar

Evacuation operations launched in five north eastern districts of Bihar were suspended on Saturday following improvement in the flood situation.

Evacuation operations launched in five north eastern districts of Bihar were suspended on Saturday following improvement in the flood situation even though airdropping of foodpackets by IAF helicopters was going on.

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"We have abandoned the evacuation efforts as the situation has eased considerably and the army and naval authorities have reported that the few of those still surrounded by water are reluctant to move out," Additional Commissioner of Disaster Management Department Pratyay Amrit told PTI.

He said with water receding quite fast many in relief camps were also returning home against the advice of local authorities.

Altogether 8,82,189 people were evacuated during the operations launched by over 6,000 personnel from the army, navy, national disaster response force, besides the state police.

The officer said the decision to suspend the evacuation was also taken as the boats got stuck in shallow waters.

According to sources in the Flood Control Room of the Water Resources department, the discharge in the river Kosi, which has played havoc in Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Purnia and Araria districts, from Barahkshetra in Nepal this noon was 92,750 cusecs, 22,250 cusecs less than yesterday at the same time.

Over 2.72 lakh people in 977 villages of the five districts were affected by the floods. A total of 2,76,656 have taken shelter in relief camps.