Muzaffarpur Threatened by Breach in Embankment
New Delhi: Aug. 23, 2007
Just when the people in Bihar were taking a sigh of relief with news of overall let up in the flood situation in the state, the embankment on the Burhi Gandak at the outskirts of Kanti in Muzaffarpur district crumbled on late Thursday night gushing water in Kanti Bazaar while sending people rushing for higher grounds.
Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, the government has sounded alert in Muzaffarpur district directing top officials to monitor the fast-changing situation and warn people to seek shelter in high-lying areas to avoid any loss of life.
As reported, the embankment has already suffered damages in over 80 percent of the structure and the situation is expected to get worse in next 24 hours, Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Vinay Kumar said after visiting the embankment area.
Meanwhile, with reports of more deaths coming from Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Motihari, and Bagaha, the death toll due to flood in Bihar climbed up to 425, officials in Patna said.
Taking a direct shot at the UPA government, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Thursday, said the Center was not at all serious about the flood conditions in Bihar.
Shortly after his return from flood areas in West Champaran, Kumar, at Patna Airport, accused the Central government of shelving the bilateral Indo-Nepal Sapt Koshi flood prevention plan spearheaded by the former Vajpayee government.
"Had this plan been put in action by the UPA government, Bihar would not be facing the dire situation that it is currently experiencing," the Chief Minister said.
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