Incessant rains in the last 72 hours in neighbouring Nepal, coupled with heavy rains in the last 24 hours in the Seemanchal area, have caused floods in Kishanganj, Purnea, Araria and Katihar districts of Bihar.
An Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) release quoted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as saying that due to rains in the catchment areas of Nepal and the Seemanchal districts, rivers like Mahananda and Kankai had swelled, causing floods in the four districts.
It added that the most affected district was Kishanganj, where the flood waters had entered the town.
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“I have talked to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Defence Minister over phone, apprised them of the flood situation in these districts and requested them to help the state deal with the situation. They have assured me of all possible help,” the release quoted Mr. Kumar as saying.
The CM also demanded an additional deployment of 10 companies of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the state, besides deployment of the Indian Air Force’s helicopters to carry out relief-and-rescue operations, it added.
Mr. Kumar said the NDRF and SDRF teams, which were stationed in the state, had been dispatched to the affected areas to carry out the relief—and—rescue operations.
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As per the East Central Rail (ECR) chief public relations officer (CPRO), eight trains had been cancelled due to waterlogging at the Narkatiaganj yard.