Bihar

Patna: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi will today undertake an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Bihar. After a day-long aerial survey, the Prime Minister is scheduled to review the relief and rescue measures launched by the State government at a high-level meeting with senior officials. Ahead of his visit, State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met the PM on Wednesday in New Delhi and sought central assistance of Rs 1000 crore and one lakh tones of food grains immediately for the affected people.

Earlier, Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav sought assistance from the Central government for Bihar that has been badly hit by floods. He sought assistance by way of Air Force helicopters to be pressed into the service.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan accused the Bihar government of "failing to handle the flood situation" in the State, and charged it with failing to repair river embankments despite warning. He alleged that the State government had failed to handle the situation and lakhs of people were suffering but the government was doing nothing to help them.

With the Kosi River continuing to unleash its fury in Bihar districts bordering Nepal, over 20 lakh people are bearing the brunt of floods. The Army was called out to help the marooned people. According to the Central Water Commission, the Kosi, Ganga, Ghaghra, Punpun and Burhi Gandak were flowing above the danger level at several places along their course.

The flood have affected 15 districts - Muzaffarpur, Patna, Katihar, Nalanda, West Champaran, Khagaria Sheikhpura, Purnia, Saran, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura and Araria.