Patna, Sep 16 (IANS) A Central team led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrived in Bihar on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the ongoing floods, with the minister assuring that the Centre would provide assistance for losses incurred in the disaster.
During the visit, Chouhan, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other members of the Central team travelled by tractor and boat to inspect flood-affected areas in Hajipur, Vaishali district.
The team assessed the condition of crops, roads and other infrastructure affected by the rising water levels.
Addressing the situation, Chouhan assured that the Central government would extend assistance for the damage caused by the floods. Further assessments will be carried out to determine the extent of losses across the affected areas.
Speaking to the media in Vaishali, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the Union Agriculture Minister had taken stock of the condition of crops and roads in the flood-hit areas.
“Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took stock of the condition of crops and roads in the flood-affected areas. Central teams will also visit other districts to assess the damage,” CM Choudhary said.
He added that Bihar would receive all possible assistance from the Centre.
The Chief Minister said continuous discussions were underway on measures to assist residents of the affected areas.
He said the condition of crops and roads had been assessed and that the damage assessment process was continuing.
A review meeting will be held after the field inspections are completed, he said.
The state government has already begun distributing financial assistance to affected people.
CM Choudhary also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending the special Central team to Bihar and said additional teams were expected to visit the state to assess the flood situation and facilitate further assistance.
A flood situation continues in several parts of Bihar amid rising water levels in major rivers.
According to the Disaster Management Department, around 49.74 lakh people have been affected across 575 gram panchayats in 88 blocks spread over 15 districts -- Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Buxar, Samastipur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Araria, Purnea, Madhepura and Katihar.
The state government is continuing relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
According to information from the Central Water Commission, the Gandak River was flowing above the danger mark at Dumaria Ghat in Muzaffarpur, while the Kosi was above the danger level at Baltara and Kursela in Khagaria.
The Ganga was also flowing above the danger mark at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna, as well as at Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon.
The Punpun was above the danger mark at Sripalpur, while the Bagmati was flowing above the danger level at Benibad and Sonakhan.
Authorities were continuing to monitor river levels and the situation in vulnerable areas as relief and damage-assessment operations continued.
--IANS
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