Floods kill 52 in Assam, Bihar; situation grim
Guwahati, July 30
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday promised adequate assistance to Assam and said the Central government will take an expeditious decision on the state government's demands, even as death toll due to floods in Bihar and Assam together crossed 50.
Many rivers were flowing above danger level in Bihar as swirling flood waters continued to wreak havoc in the state with 26.19 lakh people affected.
(Follow ; and )
Rivers which are flowing above danger level are Baghmati at Benibad, Kamlabalan at Jhanjharpur, Kosi at Baltara, Mahananda at Dhengra ghat and Jhawa in the state, the Disaster Management Department said in a statement.
Rajnath Singh, who reached Assam earlier in the day, conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
He also visited Bhagatgaon camp set up for the flood-affected residents in Morigaon district.
Addressing the media later, Singh said at least 28 districts of the state have been affected by floods.
Read: Delhi traffic crawls as city receives maximum rain in 10 years
"I have been told that around 26 people have died over the past one week due to floods in Assam and state government has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of victims," Singh said.
"The (Central) government will provide all assistance to the Assam government. I congratulate Assam Chief Minister and his state officers for arrangements in the flood-affected areas," he added.
Read: 27 killed as lightning strikes several places in Odisha
The Home Minister said he had asked the state government to "adequately utilise the money in the National Disaster Relief Fund." He also lauded the work of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Army in providing relief to the flood-affected people.
Some 26 people died and 19 lakh people in 22 districts have been affacted by floods in the state.
