Five lakh people reeling under flood in Sitamarhi

Arun Lata Sharma

Sitamarhi : Over 5 lakh people are reeling under flood in Sitamarhi district in North Bihar, around 137 km away from Patna. Several  thousand thatched houses have either been washed away or collapsed due to the flood in around 105 villages under twelve blocks so far in the district. The people have to do without electricity and safe drinking water. Many shelter homes and community kitchens are functional in the district.

The flood water is entering new areas and villages. Dozens of villages are not accessible as roads have been washed away under  Suppi and Majorganj blocks. About 150 boats have been pressed into service for rescue and relief operation. NDRF and SDRF have also been deployed to save the people.

DM Dr. Ranjeet Kumar Singh has visited many villages on tractor and on foot. He is seeking mass support to save the people. He thanked villagers, social groups, NGOs and many organisations for their support in this natural calamity.
Meanwhile, waters of Lakhandei, a tributary of river Bagmati, has entered lower and down localities of Sitamarhi town.
Rivers like Bagmati, Lalbakeya, Lakhandei, Adhwara group, Rato, Marar, and Hardi are flowing above danger levels but showing receding trend. Scarcity of fodder is posing threat to flood ravaged cattleheads.