The flood situation in Bihar turned grimmer with 18 districts facing worse situation and over a crore population affected and displaced. About 1700 personnel of NDRF, SDRF military columns have been pressed into service to rescue the people and take them to safer places while Army choppers are air dropping food packets. About 85 people have died so far with Araria district alone reporting 31 casualties.
The connection between neighbouring districts Kishanganj and Purnia and their links with Bengal is snapped with the breach in the embankments as a result over ten thousand heavy vehicles were stranded on the national highways. Flood water has entered many cities like Bagaha, Raxaul, Sheohar, and cities in Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria and Katihar.
As per the reports of the disaster management department, a population of about 70 lakh in 85 blocks was badly affected where 300 soldiers have taken up responsibility to rescue them and provide relief. Two Army chopper and 192 boats are being used in relief and rescue operation.
The situation turned worse due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal. Almost entire north Bihar is flooded. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is making aerial survey of the affected areas for the lst three days and issuing directives to the official to intensify the rescue and relief works on war footing. Nitgish thanked PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley for rushing the required relief. The railways have cancelled over 40 long distance trains connecting north Bihar. Railway links have also snapped in Katihar.
What surprised people in the Seemanchal region comprising Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria and Katihar was the sudden deluge and abnormal spate in the rivers that gave people in dozens of blocks no time to move out and they fond themselves submerged. Shanties have come up on the embankments where people have taken refuge. In Araria, SP Dhrut Sayali Savlaram has shifted to circuit house after her official residence was submerged and DM Himanshu Sharma shifted to a hotel. In the district headquarter all the Government offices have gone under water. In Kishanganj too top district officials have shifted to other places.