Flood death toll reaches 106 in Bihar, 80.55 lakh affected

death toll in Bihar floods climbed to 106 on July 23, with two more people losing ir lives in calamity that affected a population of 80.55 lakh in 12 districts of state, officials said.

However, water levels have started receding in several districts and consequently number of relief camps and those taking shelter has also gone down considerably, Disaster Manment Department officials said.

Both casualties have taken place since July 22 in Mhubani district where total number of deaths rose to 25.

Sitamarhi, with 27 deaths, tops list among 12 flood-affected districts.

Among or districts, Araria has reported 12 deaths followed by Sheohar and Darbhanga (10 each), Purnea (nine), Kishanganj (five), Supaul (three), East Champaran and Muzaffarpur (two each) and Saharsa (one).

Katihar remains only district affected by calamity, which has reported casualty so far.

number of people affected by floods stood at 80.55 lakh, who are residents of vills falling under 105 blocks, officials said.

Flash floods were caused by unusually heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal earlier this month that led about half a dozen rivers flowing through state to swell.

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With a let up in rainfall in Nepal's Terai region for past few days, water levels have begun to recede.

number of relief camps on July 23 was 54, as against more than 130 a week ago and number of people staying at those places has gone down from over one lakh to 29,400, officials said.

However, need for relief material, including food, remained, and refore, 812 community kitchens were still functioning, y said.

Distribution of chlorine tablets and bleaching powder, to prevent outbreak of water-borne disease, was being undertaken on a war footing and ditional number of doctors were being deployed in flood-hit districts.

Officials showing laxity in relief work were being taken to task. A release from Muzaffarpur said district magistrate has ordered withholding salaries of two officials on this count.

Flood victims are being provided assistance by government through Public Financial Manment System under which each family receives an aid of Rs 6,000 directly in ir bank accounts.

Instructions are also in place for expeditious disbursement of ex-gratia to next of kin of each of deceased, Chief Minister's office said in Patna. 

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