2 killed, 4 lakh affected in Bihar flood

Two people were killed and nearly four lakh people were affected by floods in Bihar, an official said Sunday.

Vayasji, the principal secretary of state disaster management department, said two casualties were reported from flood-affected Saharsa district.

"Around 3.94 lakh people have been hit by floods in several districts, including two lakh in Saharsa," he told IANS over phone.

Vayasji said Kosi River is flowing above the danger mark at several places.

He said so far 37,000 people have been evacuated from flood hit districts of Saharsa, Supaul, Darbhanga and Gopalganj. "About 3,000 people are living in 75 relief camps in these districts," he added.

Heavy downpour in the last three days pushed up the water level of Kosi, Gandak and Bagmati rivers.

"We have sounded a high alert as major rivers in north Bihar, especially the Kosi, Gandak, Kamla Balan and Bagmati, are in spate following heavy rains in their catchment areas in Nepal and are posing a threat of floods," he said.

Over a dozen teams of the National Disaster Response Force and state disaster response force have been deployed in flood-hit districts.

The state disaster management department has asked people living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground, Vayasji said.