CM Air Surveys Flood-affected Areas
Patna: Aug. 3, 2007
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CM Air Surveys Flood-affected Areas
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, following his return to Patna from Mauritius on Thursday, went on an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts on Friday amidst protests from various political parties who accused him of 'waking up' to the plights of millions of Biharis 'a little too late'.
Admitting the situation in Bihar was in fact dismal, Kumar ordered deputation of special District Magistrates in all flood-affected districts until there was a let up in the flood situation.
"It is not that we are not aware of the situation but relief operation is underway on a war-footing scale. Helicopters would start dropping off essential items from Saturday morning and the government would provide Rs. 4,000 each hectare to the farmers in all flood-affected areas," Kumar said at a press conference at his residence on Friday.
The Chief Minister also warned district officials of strict measures if any lapse was found in flood-relief operation in any area.
"With non-stop rain for so many days in Bihar, things are certainly not as they should be in Bihar but there has been no delay in relief operation and efforts to save human lives, cattle, and crops are going on on a war-footing scale," he said.
Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, Energy Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav, Excise and Prohibition Minister Sudha Srivastava, Health Minister Chandramohan Rai, Revenue and Land Reform Minister Ramnath Thakur, PHED Minister Prem Kumar, Rural Development Minister Baidyanath Mahto and Industry Minister Gautam Singh have been ordered to stay in flood affected areas of Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Khagaria, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, East and West Champaran, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, and Begusarai, the Chief Minister said.
So far over 50 people have reportedly died due to flood in Bihar.
On Friday, at least eight persons, mostly children, drowned in the swollen Benti River in Samastipur district when their boat capsized after being caught in a whirlpool, officials said.
District Magistrate M. Sharavan Kumar said the government would provide Rs. 1 lakh to the family members of each victim.
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