Modi announces ₹500 crore help for flood-hit Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an immediate relief of ₹500 crore for flood ravaged Bihar.
Modi made the announcement after an aerial survey of flood affected Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj districts in northeast Bihar and review of relief and rehabilitation schemes with chief minister Nitish Kumar and Bihar government officers at Purnia, 368 km east of Patna.
The Prime Minister hinted that the relief amount would be increased after assessment of the damage later in New Delhi. He said a central government team would soon visit the state to assess the damage. Modi also directed insurance companies to send their supervisors to the affected areas for assessment of the crop insurance claims of flood-hit farmers. Modi said the Union ministry of road transport and highways had also been directed to take necessary steps for repair of roads damaged in the deluge. The Union government would also help in restoration of electricity infrastructure in the affected areas of Bihar, he added.
Modi also announced payment of ₹2 lakh each to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 to the injured in the floods from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
Earlier, Modi arrived at Chunapur airbase, Purnia, by a special aircraft. He was received at by Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.
Soon after his arrival, Modi, along with Kumar, left for aerial survey of the flood affected districts. After a 50-minute aerial survey, Modi discussed flood relief schemes with the chief minister and Bihar government officers at the Chunapur airbase conference hall.
The death toll in flood mounted to 418 on Friday, with 1.67 crore people in 19 districts being affected by the deluge. The flood waters, however, have receded in some places, prompting many to return to their homes.
Araria district alone accounted for 87 deaths followed by Sitamarhi 43, Katihar 40, West Champaran 36, East Champaran 32, Madhubani 28, Darbhanga 26, Kishanganj 24, Madhepura 22, Gopalganj 20, Supaul 16, Purnia nine, Saharsa eight; Khagaria, Saran and Muzaffarpur seven each, Sheohar four and Samastipur two. No deaths were reported from Siwan district, it said.