Army, Air Force to assist in Bihar flood relief operation

PATNA: The Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in evacuation and rescue operation in flood-hit districts of Bihar, even as no casualty was reported so far.

Of Bihar’s 38 districts, Kishanganj, Araria and Purnia were the worst affected, with floodwaters also partially affecting Katihar and Narkatiaganj town in Bettiah, West Champaran district.

While one column of Army personnel had moved from Danapur to Kishanganj on Sunday, three more were expected to be airlifted from Ranchi on Monday. The Army contingent from Ranchi would move to Purnia.

Besides, 10 additional teams, each comprising 40-45 personnel of the NDRF, were also being deployed in Kishanganj, Purnia and Araria to strengthen the existing 9, NDRF battalion. A team each of NDRF has already been deployed in East and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Supaul and Purnia districts, while two teams have been positioned at Kishanganj.

The Centre’s intervention comes after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and defence minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday. The CM also spoke to public representatives to assess the situation there.

Bihar chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said state had also requested the Centre for choppers to assist in evacuation and rescue.Airlifting of the marooned would begin from Kadamkhadi in Baisa block of Purnia district.