Bihar Flood Crisis: Relief Efforts Intensify Amid Rising Water Levels

Union Minister Chirag Paswan visited flood-affected areas in Bihar and promised to share details with Prime Minister Modi. State officials, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, are taking measures to address the crisis. Relief efforts are underway but concerns over recurring floods remain high.

Amid a grim flood situation in Bihar affecting 11.84 lakh people, Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who hails from the state, visited the impacted areas and pledged to share details of the "frightening" conditions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted an aerial survey of the inundated regions caused by the release of millions of cusecs of water from a barrage along the border by Nepal, which had seen record rainfall over the weekend.

The state disaster management department reported that Indian Air Force helicopters air-dropped packets of food and relief materials, benefiting more than two lakh people in Sitamarhi and Darbhanga districts.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met Union Jalshakti Minister C R Patil in Delhi and advocated for the construction of an additional barrage to mitigate recurring flood devastation in areas bordering Nepal.

Paswan, who leads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and represents the Hajipur constituency, spent hours in affected districts like Purnea and Saharsa, inspecting relief efforts and addressing grievances.

Although satisfied with the state's handling of the crisis, Paswan stated that the situation remains severe and plans to discuss comprehensive solutions with both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

RJD MP Misa Bharti criticized the NDA government for its delayed response, while the disaster management department reported extensive relief efforts involving NDRF and SDRF teams, boats, and community kitchens.

(With inputs from agencies.)