Patna, Sep 15 (IANS) The Bihar government on Tuesday provided financial relief to thousands of flood-affected families. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary transferred Rs 7,000 each to the bank accounts of 8,27,472 eligible families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
A total of Rs 579.23 crore was released for the assistance. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary was also present during the programme. The Disaster Management Department had prepared the list of beneficiaries based on reports submitted by Circle Officers from the affected districts.
The assistance was subsequently transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible families.
Floods have affected 15 districts of Bihar this year, with the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Punpun among the major rivers aggravating the situation. According to government data, 575 Gram Panchayats across 88 blocks have been affected, impacting approximately 49.46 lakh people.
The affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Arwal.
The government is also operating community kitchens to provide food to people in flood-hit areas. At present, 1,260 community kitchens are functioning across the state, through which around 1.19 crore meals have been served to people so far.
Meanwhile, 13 relief camps are currently operational. Arrangements for accommodation, food, medical care, and other essential facilities have been made for 11,060 people staying in these camps.
The number of community kitchens was recently increased from 1,257 to 1,260, while the number of relief camps was reduced from 15 to 13.
Relief measures are also being extended to livestock. So far, 13,121 quintals of cattle feed have been distributed in flood-affected areas.
According to reports from the Central Water Commission and the Meteorological Department, the water level of the Ganga is receding at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur.
However, several rivers across the state continue to flow above the danger mark.
Water levels above the danger mark have been recorded in the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela; the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria; the Ganga at Digha Ghat, Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna; Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur, and Munger; the Bagmati at Benibad; Punpun at Sripalpur; and the Ghaghara at Darauli.
The government is continuing financial assistance alongside relief measures, including food, shelter, medical care and cattle feed.
Meanwhile, district administrations are maintaining close surveillance of the flood situation as several rivers remain above the danger mark.
–IANS
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