Patna: At least 157 people have died in the current spell of floods in Bihar as the overall situation remained unchanged with major rivers in spate while the Army stepped up relief in the worst-hit districts of Gopalganj, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Supaul and Samastipur.

Official sources said 28 fresh deaths were reported from Gopalganj, Khagaria, Madhubani and Samastipur districts since August 3, taking the toll in the recent spell of floods to 157.

Nearly 13 million people have been affected by floods in 6415 villages spread over 21 districts in the state, according to Relief and Rehabilitation Department sources.

Standing crops in 10 lakh hectares, the value of which was estimated to be Rs 2 crore, have been destroyed due to floods so far, sources said.

Over 85,000 houses worth over Rs 40 crore have also been damaged by floods.

According to a Central Water Commission report, major rivers like Gandak, Bagmati, Burhigandak, Adhwara group of rivers and Mahananda continued to flow above the danger mark posing threat to the embankments and inundating fresh areas.

While Bagmati was flowing 70 cms and 116 cms above the danger level at Benibad and Hayaghat, Kosi overtopped the red mark by 147 cms at Baltara and Mahananda continued to flow 28 cms above the danger level at Jhawa.

All the vital embankments in the state were reported to be safe. Army personnel were carrying relief and rescue work in Gopalganj, Madhubani, Supaul and Samastipur districts.

PTI