Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday reviewed damage caused by the recent floods in Bihar and directed officials to submit a detailed preliminary assessment at the earliest to speed up relief, rehabilitation and related development work in affected areas.He said gratuitous relief would be distributed to flood-affected families on Oct 12. The review meeting was held at Lok Sevak Awas and was attended by BJP national president and Rajya Sabha member Nitin Nabin.The CM asked the disaster management department to obtain department-wise assessments of flood losses and the expenditure needed for restoration, and to make the consolidated report available quickly. He also instructed officials to ensure necessary arrangements in anticipation of difficulties likely after water drains out of submerged areas.Water resources department secretary Chandra Shekhar Singh briefed the meeting on the causes and impact of flooding that occurred in two phases. In a presentation, Singh said the first phase saw new record water levels in Ganga, Sone, Ghaghra, Kosi and Punpun rivers compared with previous highs. In the second phase, heavy rainfall pushed Gandak river to its highest level at four locations. Embankments were damaged at six places in West Champaran, Gopalganj and Saran districts.Disaster management department principal secretary Santosh Kumar Mall informed the meeting about relief and rescue operations undertaken during the floods.The CM said Bihar faced a severe flood situation this year because Ganga, Gandak and Sone carried an excessive volume of water compared with previous years. He said silt accumulation in river beds remains a major reason for flooding, noting that Bihar is the first state in the country to frame a silt policy.
