Bihar Floods: Water-Logging Woes Continue To Trouble Patna Even As Downpour Ceases; Operations Underway

About 100 hours after the crisis hit the state, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar entered the knee-deep water to take a stock of the situation.

Patna: A aerial view of flood-affected areas following heavy rains, in Patna, Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019. (PTI Photo)(PTI10_1_2019_000072B)

New Delhi: The massive water-logging problem in Patna continues to impair the livelihood in the city, even as the heavy downpour came to an end on Tuesday, and even after drainage operations gathered momentum. After about 100 hours of the crisis, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar entered the knee-deep water to take a stock of the situation. Five NDRF teams have been deployed in Rajendra Nagar and Kankarbagh areas of Patna to assist people facing difficulties while Indian Air Force helicopters are dropping relief material to the flood-affected areas of the state. According to the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, 40 people have died in the state due to floods so far. Nitish visits relief camps: CM Kumar visited the flood relief camps set up at Krishna Memorial hall in Patna, and said that all relief efforts are being made for the affected people in the city. "We are extending every possible relief effort to the people affected by the floods in the city. We are doing everything we can. No one is sitting idle. This is a natural calamity which was magnified by climate change," Kumar told media persons outside the camp. He said that pumps are also being brought to drain the water from the city. Over 12 districts were affected by a flash flood in July this year. After that, several parts of the state were hit by drought. Now, several districts are affected by swelling of Ganga river and amid that heavy rains caused floods in Patna." He said that the state government has been dealing with everything to its best capability. When asked about his response on the casualties due to the floods, Kumar said that floods happen in many parts of the country and around the world. "Is water in some parts of Patna the only problem we have? What happened in America?" he added. Earlier today, water also entered into the residence of state Health Minister Mangal Pandey in Patna. On Monday, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi and his family were bailed out by National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF) as they were stranded after flood-water burst into their house. JD(U)-BJP govt's apathy has led to floods in Bihar: Congress The Congress on Tuesday alleged that apathy of the JD(U)-BJP government in Bihar has led to floods in many parts of the state, including capital Patna, and claimed the deluge was "man-made". Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil also alleged that works for the 'Namami Gange' project were not undertaken due to corruption. "Due to corruption and lack of supervision, water is now entering the town as the pipeline has not been aligned properly, resulting in the city getting flooded," he said. "At least for the sake of humanity, the state and the central governments should come out and help the people and mitigate their problems arising out of floods," he said. The Congress also released a video purportedly showing a JD(U) MLA questioning the government.