Hungry fishermen cause further flooding in Bihar

The situation in India’s Bihar state is still grim, especially in the Bhagalpur District, even as authorities step up relief work in the flood-ravaged region.

Over the weekend, the situation worsened as some fishermen slashed a large dammed soil mound with the intention of releasing fish into a river.

But when the ...

People trying to leave were unable to because no arrangements had been made for boats.

The people of the affected villages have complained about the negligence of the district administration and the fact they have received no relief assistance.

The flooding in Bihar occurred after the Kosi river burst a dam in neighbouring Nepal earlier this month and changed its course, swamping hundreds of villages and destroying more than 100,000 hectares of farmland.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi have announced 228 million dollars in aid for rescue and recovery efforts.