The death toll in rain-related incidents in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh crossed the 150-mark on Tuesday even as rescue and relief operations are continuing on a war footing as people struggled to recover from the devastation from the incessant rainfall which caused heavy damage to property and infrastructure.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Tuesday reviewed the Bihar flood situation in National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting held here and directed the central agencies to provide all possible help to the State.
As almost 70-80 percent areas in Patna remained inundated, the state government has cancelled all programmes, including cultural functions, related to October 2 to mark the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Though rainfall has somewhat stopped since Monday evening in Patna, most of the colonies are still under 4-5 ft deep water. Incessant rains and water logging in Patna have also forced the government to defer the much-hyped launch of its ambitious "Jal Jeevan Haryali Abhiyan" on October 2.
Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar has exuded confidence that inundation of streets will reduce significantly by Wednesday as water would be flushed out through four heavy duty pumps, made available by the Coal ministry. It would pump out 3000 gallons per minute from waterlogged area. The India Meteorological Department has predicted no heavy rains and clear sky with sunshine.
On Tuesday, the state government deployed two IAF choppers to assist the rescue and relief operations. According to officials, two helicopters of the India Air Force are currently deployed in rescue and relief operations. Eye witnesses said the two IAF helicopters hovered over the flooded areas, especially the densely populated ones like Kankar Bagh, Rajendra Nagar, Krishna Puri and Hanuman Nagar in the city, air-dropping packets of relief material as residents stood atop roofs drawing attention of the IAF personnel.
According to NDRF, 20 teams of the NDRF have been deployed in the state in which six alone have been deployed in Patna which has witnessed very heavy rains and waterlogging over the past three day.
During the review meeting, Bihar Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar informed that essential supplies of food and water are being supplied by the state govt and current efforts are towards restoration of electricity in flood affected areas. Drinking water, candles and food items are being provided to marooned people.
Senior officials of the Ministries of Home and Defence, as well as those from the IMD, the NDRF and the Central Water Commission attended the meeting this morning.