In drought-hit Bihar, over one lakh people fight flood
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01/09/2009
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Indian Express (New Delhi)
Even as the Bihar government has declared 26 of its 38 districts as drought-affected, several parts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa and Supaul districts have been facing flood, affecting over one lakh people. Over 100 houses have been washed away in Supaul and Saharsa because of Kosi water flooding the fields.
Several low-lying areas in Darbhanga town are flooded. Though there is no water on the Patna-Darbhanga Road, ward number 8, 9 and 23 have been under knee-deep water for the past three days.
Prakash Kumar, a Darbhanga resident, said: "NH-105, linking Darbhanga to Nepal, is flooded near Keoti and Bulauni. Kosi has also caused flood in low-lying Kusheshwar Sthan."
Bihar Governor Devanand Kunwar on Sunday surveyed the flood-hit areas of Darbhanga and Madhubani in a helicopter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already instructed the respective district magistrates to distribute relief material. No evacuation, however, has taken place at any of the affected areas.
Madhepur block of Madhubani is also faces Kosi flood at Bheja and Dwarka. Avnindra Kumar, a Madhubani resident, said: