Bihar asks Delhi to take up floods with Nepal

NEW DELHI, Aug 29 - The Bihar government has urged the Indian Prime Minister's Office to actively pursue diplomatic initiatives with Nepal to find a solution to the problem of flooding, PTI reported Thursday. "North Bihar has perennially faced the woe of floods from rivers emanating from Nepal. 671 villages ...

"Having officers of Foregin Affairs, Water Resources and Bihar government, the STF in the PMO must actively pursue diplomatic initiatives with Nepal for the construction of high dams, massive re-forestation in the upper catchment area of the rivers and strengthening of embankments there," PTI said quoting a state government release.

The report said the demand assumes significance in the wake of Nepal's Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav's visit to India. "The central government is likely to discuss the issue with him to find a permanent solution to the problem which has been affecting Bihar for decades," the PTI report said.

Acting on a missive from the Bihar government, the Centre earlier wrote a letter to the Nepal government to take measures at their end in this regard, according to the report.

The Bihar government also sought an additional 100 motorboats from the central government as evacuation of marooned people is posing a challenge.

The state on its own has mobilized 600 boats while the Indian Army chipped in with three columns of 10 boats each, with the NDMA providing 50 boats.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Bihar accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Chemicals and Fertilizers and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The prime minister expressed his deep anguish at the havoc caused by the unprecedented floods and directed that all possible steps be taken to ameliorate the suffering of the people. Terming this a national calamity, Dr. Manmohan Singh announced immediate release of 10,000 million rupees to the Government of Bihar for rescue and relief.

The prime minister declared that the Centre would extend all possible assistance to the state government. The Government of India will provide necessary material and technical assistance to the state government to prevent further deterioration in the embankments and protective structures. A high-level team would be set up to coordinate matters with the government of Nepal.