Bihar floods: Congress chief Kharge demands urgent aid for victims, rescue work to be expedited

New Delhi [India], October 3 (ANI): Amid flood situation in Bihar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the Centre and the State governments to expedite relief and rescue operations and to provide adequate compensation to affected persons.

In a post on X, Kharge said that the flood situation in Bihar has become “extremely painful.”

“Nearly 15 lakh people in 17 districts are affected by the floods, and the news of many deaths in the last few days is extremely painful. Bridges have been broken and the homes of citizens have been destroyed due to the disaster, especially in North Bihar. We demand from the central and state governments that relief and rescue operations should be expedited so that the victims can get immediate help,” Kharge said.

The Congress Chief also “wholeheartedly” thanked the Indian Air Force and personnel of the NDRF and SDRF for their efforts.

“But we still need all possible help from the state government agencies. The central government should provide adequate compensation to every flood victim and help the state government. Farmers whose crops have been destroyed should also get compensation,” Kharge said.

“Congress workers are expected to be ready to serve the victims,” the Congress chief said.

Several parts of Bihar are grappling with severe flooding due to heavy water discharge from the Kosi Barrage in Birpur following relentless rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal. Some rivers are at or above danger levels in many bordering districts.

Meanwhile, severe flooding in the Aurai block of Muzaffarpur in the area has caused many residents to move out from their waterlogged homes.

Several residents erected tarpaulin sheets to create makeshift tents along the roadside as temporary refuge.

Due to accessibility challenges, authorities have allowed boat movement in flooded areas. The District Magistrate said, “We are taking a liberal approach as per the demands of the people. Two senior officials have also been stationed here to oversee operations.”

A massive volume of water was released from the Kosi and Gandak barrages, affecting northern Bihar and Nepal. Floods in Sitamarhi followed a breach in the Mandar dam in the Belsand block on September 29.