Flood limited, but drought severe in Bihar: Nitish

Observing that the flood situation was limited in nature but the drought was more severe due to shortfall of monsoon rains, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said effective measures were being taken to tide over the twin crisis in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters at the Jai Prakash Narayan Airport after undertaking aerial survey of flood-affected Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar and West Champaran districts, he said that the flood water has spread to riverine area in affected districts due to rise of water level in the river Ganga.
In West Champaran district, the discharge of water in the Gandak river stood at 1.25 lakh cusec as a result of which the PDR dam near Korhiya in the district was under pressure, Kumar said that effects were on to protect the dam even as rescue and relief works among the affected people were going on in full swing.

Over all, the flood was limited in nature and restricted to the riverine areas of the river Ganga, the Chief Minister said, adding that he will carry out aerial survey in Bhagalpur and Munger districts to take of the flood situation in the two districts.
He said that the Chief Secretary A K Sinha will review the flood situation with the district officials through video conferencing tomorrow and the necessary arrangements like rescue and relief works, besides arrangements for boats will be done at the level of the Chief Secretary.
Kumar said that the rescue and relief works will be carried on war footing wherever the flood situation arises in Bihar.

The Chief Minister, at the same time, said that he was concerned with drought situation due to short rainfall in many districts of Bihar and the situation may worsen if there was no improvement in rainfall in time to come.
All necessary steps have been taken to mitigate crisis arising out of drought and diesel subsidy was being provided to the farmers to ensure that the standing crops could be saved, he said, adding that he has directed the electricity department to provide power for eight hours to the rural areas.