Exodus continues from flood-affected Bihar
1 Sep 2008, 1112 Hrs

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Saharsa/Patna/New Delhi, Sept 1 (ANI): People continue to flee flood-affected parts in Bihar for safer places, even as the authorities have stepped up the tempo of relief work.

At a railway station in New Delhi, hoards of migrants were seen on Sunday, sitting with their families and whatever they could collect in the name of belongings.

Recounting his harrowing experience, Mohammad Jabbar of Supaul District, where water breached the walls of thousands of dwellings, said that they first took the news of the floods in the region as a hoax. "In the beginning, we were not expecting the floods would create havoc. But once the floodwater began to gush into our locality, it soon reached dangerous level and everyone was fearful and the loss is unimaginable," he said.

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has announced that the railways will not charge fare from flood victims if they want to move out.

"The Railways will not charge any fare from victims who want to leave for other stations. We have also arranged community kitchen services for people of flood-affected areas. Moreover, people still marooned in the floods, need to be immediately evacuated," Prasad said during a visit to Saharsa District.

Relief continues to pour in with the help of the Indian Air Force in the form of food, medicines and tarpaulin sheets.

The flooding, said to be the worst in 50 years, was caused after an embankment of the Kosi River was breached in Nepal, from where it originates. This unleashed huge waves of water which smashed mud embankments downstream in Bihar.

The waters of the Kosi gushed into the state, inundating vast tracts and affecting around two million people. (ANI)