Patna: With reports of fresh deaths pouring in from the 18 flood-ravaged districts, the death toll in the current spell of floods in Bihar rose to 199 even as the overall flood situation in the State showed signs of respite with major rivers showing a receding trend all along their courses though flowing above the red mark.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will make an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Bihar on July 27 and during his over two-hour stay in Patna he would also meet the representatives of various political parties and review the relief and rehabilitation measures with the State Government officials, Chief Secretary K A H Subramanian said .

He said a Central team headed by joint secretary of the Union Home Ministry A Purkayastha would soon visit Bihar to assess the damage caused by the devastating floods in the State.

Meanwhile, the Centre has granted Rs 55 crore from the calamity relief fund for undertaking relief and rehabilitation work in the state, the Chief Secretary said.

While Sitamarhi accounted for highest number of 52 deaths followed by Samastipur 47 and Muzaffarpur 31, Darbhanga 15, Bhagalpur 13, Sheohar, Araria, East Champaran seven each, Katihar And purnia five each, Madhepura (4), Supau and Saharsa two each while Mahubani and Kishanganj one each.

Official sources said even as the overall flood situation showed signs of improvement, the scenario in Khagaria, Rosera sub-division of Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, East Champaran and Katihar districts continued to be grim with turbulent rivers inundating fresh areas.