Bihar flood toll rises to 367

The toll in Bihar flood today rose to 367 with 26 more deaths even as 1.58 crore people are affected by the deluge in 19 districts of the state.

The flood toll stood at 341 till yesterday in the state.

Siwan was added to the list of flood-affected districts, a state disaster management department statement said here.

Around 7.76 lakh people have been shifted to safer areas, and with water receding in some places, many people have returned to their homes.

The statement said 1.67 lakh people are putting up in 696 relief camps.

Araria district alone accounted for 80 deaths, followed by Sitamarhi and West Champaran (36 each), Katihar (35), Madhubani (24), Kisanganj (23), Darbhanga (22), Madhepura, East Champaran and Gopalganj (19 each), Supual (15), Purnea (9), Khagaria, Saran and Muzaffarpur (7 each), Sheohar and Saharsa (4 each) and Samastipur district (1).

Meanwhile, a baby was born on a rescue boat of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the flood-hit East Champaran district today.

This is the third child born on NDRF boat in the current flood in Bihar.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is touring flood-hit districts of Kisanganj, Araria and Katihar, inspected a centre distributing flood relief to victims at Milia Engineering College in Kisanganj.

Kumar handed over a cheque of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of four deceased in Kochadhaman II block.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said here that all BJP legislators will donate at least one month's salary of about Rs 30,000 for flood relief while BJP ministers would contribute at least three months' salary of around Rs one lakh.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the state on August 26 to take stock of flood situation.

A total of 28 teams of the NDRF comprising 1,152 personnel are engaged in flood relief and rehabilitation work with 118 boats.

Likewise, the Army's seven teams comprising 630 personnel are rendering services with the help of 70 boats and 16 State Disaster Response Force teams giving service with the help of 92 boats.

The MeT department office said that rains or thunder showers are likely to occur in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea districts tomorrow.