Bihar flood toll rises to 482

The flood situation in Bihar remained mostly unchanged with 42 more deaths taking the toll to 482 today as 1.71 crore people in 19 districts are still affected by the deluge.
Altogether 187 blocks and 2,371 panchayats in 19 districts were now affected by flood but the number of relief camps dropped today to 222, in which 1.44 lakh people are staying, a disaster management department release said.
Araria district alone accounted for 95 deaths followed by Sitamarhi (46), Purnea (44), Katihar (40), West Champaran (36), East Champaran (32), Darbhanga (30), Madhubani (28), Madhepura (25), Kishanganj (24), Gopalganj (20), Supual (16), Saran (13), Muzaffarpur (9), Saharsa (8), Khagaria (8), Sheohar (6) and Samastipur (2).

The flood waters, however, have receded in some places, prompting many to return home.
A total of 28 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 1,152 personnel with 118 boats are taking part in rescue and relief operations, it said.
Apart from NDRF, 16 teams of the State Disaster Response Force are also helping people in the flood-hit areas.
A total of 630 Army personnel in seven teams are also there for relief and rescue operations, the release added.
The state weather office forecast heavy rain at one or two places in West Champaran, North-Central, North-East and South-East Bihar tomorrow.