More than 70,000 families are facing the wrath of the turbulent Ganga in Bihar's Bhagalpur district.
On Sunday afternoon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who conducted an aerial survey of the areas ravaged by the river, however, told journalists here that “flood waters were receding” and that no major embankment had been breached.
“The situation is under control. There is no cause for alarm. We are monitoring the situation closely,” he said, adding relief works were being undertaken on a war-footing.
On Thursday, waters of the Ganga breached two revenue embankments in Bhagalpur. The next day a zamindari embankment was breached near Narkatiya in Bhagalpur.
Mr. Kumar noted the anomalous flow of the river, which has exceeded its danger level for the first time since 2003.
According to Water Department sources, more than 300 panchayats spread across six districts have been inundated, with the Naugachhia sub-division (which includes Bhagalpur) being the worst hit.
In north Bihar, water in the Kosi, the Bagmati and the Burhi-Gandak has exceeded the danger level, affecting Supaul, Sitamarhi, Khagaria and Katihar districts, following incessant rains in neighbouring Nepal.
As usual, paddy cultivation has been badly hit. Crops worth lakhs have been damaged.
The Chief Minister has assured the flood-afflicted families of reimbursement, while directing the Health department to take prophylactic measures like DDT spraying once waters recede considerably.
Mr. Kumar was accompanied by Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary during his visit.
