Progress Made in Flood-hit Areas; Says Prakash Jha

Patna: Nov. 19, 2008

Noted film-maker Prakash Jha, in his latest report on development in the flood-hit regions in north Bihar, said the flood water was gradually receding in most areas but the situation still remained serious and it would take at least 4-5 months before the victims would be able to return to their homes.

In a message to Punyatma Sharan, PatnaDaily.Com political consultant, Jha, who put his film-making endeavor on hold in view of the unprecedented flood caused by Kosi in Bihar this year and launched 'Punarwaas', a rescue and rehabilitation program to benefit the flood victims, said that the second phase of building 450 houses in five acres of land had started for which 2,800 applications had been received.

Jha further said that the repair work on the barrage was to begin soon.

"Our concern is that if the repair work takes time to start, it may not be over in time before monsoon next year. Moreover, the threat of another disaster remains. Until the displaced people return to their villages, Punarwaas is going to be their abode," the film-maker said.

On Nov. 6, Jha surveyed several panchayats including Balbhaddarpur, Kochgaavan, Seetapur, Bisunpur, Paramandpur, Baneily Patti, Nirmalli, Mohanpur, Kushahar in Supaul district between Beerpur and Ballua Chowk and found the rehabilitation work satisfactory.

Currently there are 4000 families living outside the immediate boundaries of the Punarwaas camp at 22-RD, Kataiyya, Jha said.

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