PM terms Bihar Flood as 'National Calamity', announced Rs. 1000 cr relief

Breaking News! Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has described the flood situation in Bihar as a 'national calamity' and announced an immediate assistance of Rs. 1000 crore to the state as flood relief. The Prime Minister also announced the release of 1.25 lakh tonnes of foodgrain to deal with the situation in Bihar.

PM Dr. Manmohan Singh announced his decision after taking an aerial survey along with UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. They made an aerial survey of four worst affected districts in Bihar - Supaul, Saharsa, Araria and Madhepura. They were accompanied by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and other Union ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also accompanied them.

Over 55 people have lost their lives in Bihar flood, which was triggered by the change of course undertaken by river Kosi after the collapse of a dam in Nepal. The engineers are trying to repair the dam in Nepal to prevent it from causing further damage. At least 25 lakh people have been affected by the floods in the state. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had demanded central assistance of Rs 1,000 crore and one lakh tonnes of foodgrain after meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi yesterday.