PATNA: Thousands of people were rendered homeless in Bihar by floods triggered by heavy rains and breaches in barrages and embankments, official sources said on Wednesday.

A day after a breach developed in the Kosi barrage upstream in neighbouring Nepal, the flood situation worsened Wednesday in some bordering districts of Bihar. The state government had already sounded red alert in districts that are considered to be flood prone.

"Floodwaters entered several villages in Forbesganj in Araria, Purnea and Supaul districts on Wednesday," official sources said. A breach developed Tuesday in the Khairpur embankment in Bhagalpur that forced hundreds of people to flee, they added.

Taking serious note of the flood situation, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday reviewed the flood situation with top officials. Kumar directed the officials to step up relief and rescue efforts in affected districts.

According to official sources in the states Disaster Management Department, flood situation is grim in 802 villages in 11 districts - Muzaffarapur, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Katihar, Araria, West Champaran, Khagaria, Sitamarhi, Patna and Nalanda.

Major rivers, including the Ganga, Punpun, Ghaghra, Burhigandak, Bagmati, Kosi and Mahananda, were flowing above the danger mark at several places.

Source : MMD English