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100 of Bihari Fellows want you to be at their online social gathering

2008-11-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

Dear all friends,

We are sending this invitation to all of you to make your presence at Bihar's First Social Networking Group. http://bihar-network.ning.com/ This is a cool website that combined all facility at one place such as yahoogroup + blogspot + chat + orkut + photo + youtube.

Established by team of BIHAR NETWORK with a virtual action approach to channel our growing online population at one platform. Be a part of it, that will keep you up to dating on Bihar and World Wide Bihari (wwb) community. No matter wherever you are now Come, join us here @ Bihar Network http://bihar-network.ning.com/

If you already joined us then invite your friend by clicking on INVITE tab. If you did not join us yet then kindly don't be late, just have a look on http://bihar-network.ning.com/ And, after having a look on it we are sure you won't stop yourself to join it.

Jai Bihar!! Jai Bharat!!

Virtually Yours,

Bihar Network Team
http://bihar-network.ning.com/profile/BiharNetwork

Vinay Kumar Sinha

Male
Singapore
Singapore
Rajeev kumar singh
sachin kumar

Male
a.bad,bihar
India

SHARAD SINHA

Male
Bangalore,Karnataka
India
Ravi Shankar Mishra

Male
Pune. Maharashtra
India
AKSHAY MISHRA

Male
BANGALORE
India

Suman

Male
Darbhanga
India
Pankaj Singh

Male
Patna
India
Ashutosh

Male
Delhi
India

Abhishek Shubangam

Male
Ghaziabad (UP)
India
Sanjiv Singh Basisth

Male
Mumbi, MH
India
UDAY PRAKASH SHARMA

Male
Delhi
India

Praveen Kumar Thakur

Male
Bangalore, Karnataka
India
L.Kumar

Male
Delhi
India
Manoj

Male
New Delhi
India

gaurav vivek

Male
bangalore,karnataka
India
Rameshwar Kumar

Male
Sitamarhi, Bihar
India
Uday

Male
GZB
India

Sandhya Jha

Female
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India
Priyarag Verma

Male
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
India

Swaraj Prasad

Male
Bangalore,India
India
Shiv Nandan Shukla, FCA

Male
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Sanjay Kumar

Male
New Delhi
India

Sumit Kumar

Male
Bangalore, Karnataka
India
Md. Firoz

Male
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Aravind pandey

Male
Patna Bihar
India

Rakesh Roshan

Male
Sitamarhi, Bihar
India
Ajeet Kumar

Male
New Delhi
India
Jay Prakash Singh

Male
Sasaram, Bihar, Pune, Maharastra
India

Khalid Hashmi

Male
Nawadah, Bihar
Saudi Arabia
rajeev ranjan pandey

Male
Hazaribag, Jharkhand
India
PRAVINDRA KUMAR

Male
BOKARO STEEL CITY,JHARKHAND
India

Pradip kumar mishra

Male
Nalagarh, HIMACHAL PRADESH
India
DR. RAVI CHANDRA

Male
PATNA
India
SANJAY KUMAR

Male
Mumbai
India

Ranjeet Kumar

Male
New Delhi
India
Ehsaan Khan

Male
Patna, Bihar
India
Suvir Kumar

Male
Delhi
India

TV Sinha

Male
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India
keshav

Male
Patna
India
Sweta Singh
- manoranjan sahay
  
  Male
  delhi
  India
- Arvind Pandey
  
  Male
  Mumbai
  India
- Nitesh
  
  Male
  Bangalore, Karnataka
  India
- Santosh Pandey
  
  Male
  Kryviy Rih
  Ukraine
- Bihar
  
  India
- Prabhash Jha
  
  Male
  Mumbai, Maharashtra
  India
- chandan
- Amit Kumar
  
  Male
  Mumbai, India
  India
- Pragati Kumar
  
  Male
  New Delhi
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- Manoj Kr SInha
  
  Male
  Bihar
  India
- Achalesh shanker
  
  Male
  Dehradun,Uttarakhand
  India
- Sanjeev Kumar
  
  Male
  Patna,Bihar
- rajive ranjan chaubey
  
  Male
  Patna, Bihar
  India
- sant
  
  Male
  Korea, Republic of
- ritesh kumar
  
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  lakhisarai,Dhule(Maharastra)
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- Tanvi
  
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  Toronto
  Canada
- Murli SINHA
  
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  European Union
- Krishna kant jha
  
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- Mudit Shukla
  
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- Afzal kamal
  
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  Riyadh
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- Ajay Kumar
  
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  Richmond Hill, ONTARIO
  Canada
- Shams Noor Alam
  
  Male
  Bangalore,Karnataka
  India
  
  Amrish Kumar Sinha
  
  Ranchi Jharkhand
  India
  
  Shekhar
  
  Male
  Gaya, Bihar
  India
  
  maswood
  
  Male
  NEW DELHI
  India
  
  Ajay Sharma
  
  Male
  Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  India
  
  Neeraj Bhushan
  
  Male
  Delhi, Delhi
  India
  
  PAWAN
  
  Male
  DELHI
  India
  
  Pallavi
  
  Female
  Bangalore, Karnataka
  India
  
  Infosahay
  
  Male
  
  Dr.V.N.Sharma
  
  Male
  Ranchi, Jharkhand
  India
  
  Bihar Network

Will the Sacrifice of Rahul Raj unite Bihari?

2008-10-27T06:10:00.001-07:00

EI Blogger Network

Will the Sacrifice of Rahul Raj unite Bihari?

Mumbai, October 27: Passengers narrating the shooting incident in a BEST double-decker bus on Monday said the person from Patna, holding a gun, kept on shouting that he had come to Mumbai to take on MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

One of the commuters said that the 23-year-old gunman identified as Rahul Raj, went on screaming subsequently that he had nothing against the passengers and only wanted to 'take on' Raj Thackeray.

"He (Raj) then made some passengers write in chits, and kept on dropping it from the bus stating that he had come to attack Raj Thackeray. The person also kept demanding for a mobile phone," the terrified passengers said adding that the gunman was later shot dead by the police.

Recounting the terror, another passenger, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, said, "I was sitting on the upper deck of the bus when I heard some screams... I saw this man (Raj) trying to strangle the conductor with some kind of a chain and then he let him go... After that he shot one of the passengers for no reason."

"All of us ducked down under the seat and we were very scared since we didn't know if the police was to start firing," Sheikh, an employee with a local bank and a resident of suburban Andheri, who was travelling with his wife Rafia, said.

"There were nearly 15 passengers on the upper deck of the bus. He first tried to take my wife out but then apologised to her, seeing she was woman, and said that he (Raj) would escort her out of the bus," Sheikh said.

"I refused to let her (Rafia) go since I was scared that she could be hit in any crossfire that might take place," the bank employee, who was taking his wife to visit a doctor, said.

"We then heard some sounds of shooting and later heard that he (Raj) was dead," Sheikh added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Milind Bharambe said that the gunman repeatedly asked to speak with the City Police Commissioner and also wanted to kill Raj Thackeray.

"We found two (currency) notes, a fifty rupee and a ten rupee, on which it was written, "I only want to kill Raj Thackeray and no one else," Bharambe said.

The currency notes were recovered from near the bus when the hostage drama was unfolding.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Slain-Bihar-gunman-wanted-to-take-on-Raj-Thackeray/378528/

Mumbai, Oct 27 (PTI) In a broad daylight shoot-out, a 23-year-old gun-wielding youth was killed today by police in a state transport bus after he was suspected of trying to take the passengers hostage in suburban Kurla.

The gunman identified as Rahul Raj, a resident of Patna, was sitting on the upper level of a double-decker bus with the weapon, a video released by a news channel showed.

"The man fired at the police in 'Bail' bazar area of Kurla and was shot in retaliatory fire," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rakesh Maria said.

The youth was seen first threatening policemen present nearby and running up and down the bus before being shot at around 0930 hours inside a BEST bus in the northeast suburb.

A passenger, identified as Manoj Bhagat, received bullet injuries in his leg during the exchange of fire, hospital sources said.

Maria said that the police suspected that the gunman was trying to take the bus passengers hostage and "this is being verified".

Raj was pronounced dead at the Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar. PTI

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/6D52C025A1E47B05652574EF002B44F0?OpenDocument

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday strongly condemned the killing of a youth from the state in a shoot-out in Mumbai.

Reacting to the killing of the Patna youth Rahul Raj by the Mumbai police inside a bus on charges of intimidating passengers at gun-point, he said the police action appears more than warranted.

"Even if there was a revolver in his hand, the police could have done something targetting his hand. But it does not seem like a situation in which he should have been shot dead," he told reporters in Delhi.

However, justifying the shoot-out, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said whoever tries to take law into his hand and terrorise people will be dealt with sternly.

He praised the police for this action saying, "the police have carried out their duty and done a good job".

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal said that the Centre has sought a report from Maharashtra government.

The 23-year-old gun-wielding youth was killed by police in a state transport bus after he was suspected of trying to take the passengers hostage in suburban Kurla.

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070285

Will the Sacrifice of Rahul Raj unite Bihari ?

Maharastra government has restored the Z-Category security cover to Raj Thackray after a boy from Patna,hijacked a bus in Mumbai this morning at gun point and expressed his desire to meet Raj Thackray.Mumbai Police, showing exemplary courage and alacrity shot dead the boy.Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in a guarded statement said that the boy need not have been killed;he could have been overpowered easily.But the home minister of Maharastra thundered that the Police did the right thing and those who take law in their hands will be dealt like that only.

This type of statement reassures the citizen that those in charge of maintaining law and order are actually vigilant and the city they live in is safe.

After the arrest drama enacted by Maharastra government,Raj Thackrey's security was downgraded to Y-Category which infuriated Raj Thackray so much that he refused to accept such security and expressed that he was capable of managing his own security.The government was trying some means to mollify Raj Thackray and Rahul Raj gave them enough reason to restore Z-Category security .

Raj Thackray has done an unprecedented thing to Bihar.A divided state along the caste and creed lines,there was never seen any unity among the sections of Bihar .However they are all united against the atrocities perpetuated by Raj Thackray.He has become the hate figure and the disgust towards him can be seen and felt in the air.The ominous sign for him is that even powerful castes which had disassociated themselves in the belief that atrocities against Bihari's were directed towards those who had no social standing in the state have expressed unity as well.The poor and backward were ill treated and discriminated against in their home state also which forced them to migrate .The powerful and mighty earlier exuded confidence that they could subtly reply this Thakeray in his own den if he dared to anger them.Now all these people are actually very angry and if the situation is not controlled then in future bloody violent clashes can not be ruled out.

Not himself a saint,Abu Ajmi of Samajwadi Party had warned that the atrocities committed by Raj Thackray might give birth to terrorism.Especially when the state government and its police tried to shield a terrorist instead of arresting him .

Rahul Raj was overpowered by negative emotions against Raj Thackray and that naivety took away his life but there are tens of thousands of youth who are as angry but have not yet lost their faith in the legal system.

Rahul Raj could have harmed any innocent person but he chose not to do so only indicates that the anger is directed toward MNS not towards any average Maharashtran.Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar are still their god and goddess.

Politicians,oblivious of the situation are still not ready to accept the situation.The reality is that now those who abuse Raj Thackray more are likely to garner more votes.And this crescendo has developed gradually so it is not likely to dissipate very soon.

Congress and BJP are seen as the main villains who maintained deliberate silence .Congress is not present in Bihar and perhaps this has led to its inaction.BJP,did not want to lose Marathi votes.It might have been successful in its strategy but who will vote for it in Bihar now?

There is still time to redeem the situation for these national parties.They can end the theatrics and force Maharashtra governent to arrest Raj Thackray under some stringent laws which are applicable to terrorists.Otherwise to save one terrorist,these leaders can give birth to thousands of dreaded terrorists. (bihardarpan)

Reply to MNS - Bihar youth opens fire in Mumbai bus, killed by police

A youth man from Patna (in Bihar) was shot dead by the mumbai police inside a bus on Monday morning after he tried to 'hijack' a bus and then opened indiscriminate fire.

How it happens :

According to the bus passengers Rahul tried to take the passengers hostage. He was sitting on the first floor of the bus. When one of the two conductors approached him and asked him to buy a ticket he started raising slogans: Jai Bihar and Jai Patna. A heated exchange ensued and the conductor asked the driver to stop the bus near the Police Chowkie.

Rahul is a son of Kundan Pratap Singh, a teacher at Arvind Mahila College in Patna. He was reportedly in search of job in Mumbai and was very much disturbed by the anti-Bihari diatribe of Maharastra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena. According to media reports he even wanted to meet Raj Thackeray in this regard.

According to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rakesh Maria, the incident occurred around 10:10 am near Chowkie Number 3 near Bail Bazaar in Kurla, Central Mumbai, inside a double-decker bus of BEST, which was going from Andheri to Kurla.

The Monday morning attack has given a new twist to the whole anti-Bihari movement. (bihartimes.com)

Bihar Flood and Orissa Flood - Two big Floods of Eastern India

2008-09-21T11:10:00.001-07:00

East India Flood

After Bihar Flood, now Orissa Flood

A Flood warning and high alert has been sounded in several districts of Orissa, as severe floods are set to hit Orissa. With torrential rainfall in the catchment area of Mahanadi River and Hirakud dam crest gates open, the situation could get worse.

If the havoc created in Bihar by the Kosi River was not enough, certain districts of Orissa are set to face devastating floods in the days to come. The Bihar floods had seen more than thirty lakh people being affected, displaced or rendered homeless. More than a hundred people lost their lives, whereas hundreds are still reported missing. Just as the flood waters have receded, the threat of epidemics is still looming large.

The situation in Orissa is expected to be grim and reminiscent of the floods in the year 2001 which had affected more then fifty lakh people all across the state. The floods in 2001 were said to be the worst floods since independence to have hit the state of Orissa. Meanwhile evacuations have begun so that people in low lying areas can move to some place less dangerous. More than one lakh people have already been evacuated and move to safer grounds. After the devastation caused in the Bihar floods, the state government of Orissa does not want to take any chances.

A high alert has been sounded in four coastal district of Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri. The Hirakud dam built on the Mahanadi river has also been affected and due to the rising water levels l, more than twenty gates of the dam have been opened to allow for the discharge of water. The capacity of the reservoir is 630 feet, and the level has been hovering near that mark and so the crest gates had to be opened.

The state of Orissa has not been averse to the destruction caused by the floods. In the year 2001 too a similar situation had been witnessed when the Mahanadi River overflowed and almost 15 lakh cusecs of water passed through the plains. The year 1982 had faced worse floods as almost 16 lakh cusecs of water had flooded the area.

The Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force has set about evacuation people from the danger prone zones. With the help of power boats, the district administrations have set about their task of rescuing people. An alert has been sounded and people have been advised to carry valuables and food supplies to last them for three days and move to places where they are being advised to.

The state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the people of Orissa as the Special Relief Commissioner of Orissa N K Sunderray said that 14 lakh cusecs of water has crossed the Naraj bridge in Cuttack, and it is a huge flood. More than ten districts of the state are going to be affected and already it's reported that 16 people have been killed in the torrential rainfalls that have hit the state of Orissa. The situation could get worse and like Bihar, the people could face the dangers of the lack of food, medical supplies and clean drinking water in the future. The state government is doing its best to evacuate people from the flood hit zones and hoping that the flood waters will recede in the next forty eight hours.

Can our friends in media highlight this?

2008-09-09T14:31:00.001-07:00

My driver who belongs to Madhepura has come back today after putting his family in relief camp. The description that he has given is heart rendering to say the least ......... I'm not getting adequate adjectives to describe it. There have been thousands and thousands of of deaths. The stench of dead bodies is so overpowering that you cannot pass on without stuffing your nose. The relief material is being pilferaged by Mukhias. Food grains, provisions and clothes, everything is finding way to Mukhiyas' houses and situation is riotous. And the most scandalising of all - The army is a terror. It is molesting women and girls everywhere. In fact, the boats that have capsized were due to the molestation attempts by army men. No one with a family wants to board an army boat. Those who are desperate to cross and are taking army boats have to pay through nose to get ferried across - Rs.500-1000. Nothing is being reported by media for fear of riots. In fact a saw a news item hailing the role of army in national newspapers.. ...The situation in Govt. run camps is ok but there is shortage of food because of siphoning off everything by powerful people. And now that the water has receded, those with money and muscle power are hiring boats to loot the abandoned houses. Nitish Kumar is asking people not to leave the relief camps, but how can they continue in the camps when whatever little they are left with is being looted by people turned bandits..... .I'm really torn apart by this first hand account. I'm not sure whether the relief material we've sent across has gone to needy people. I'm not sure of anything ....... Kiska vishwas karen.Can our friends in media highlight this? Can we do something about it? What have we done to deserve this catastrophe?

Anubha

Bihar Group
E-mail: bihar.group@yahoo.com
http://yahoogroups.com/group/Bihar-Network
http://bihar-network.blogspot.com/

Social Upliftment Trust's Appeal on Bihar Flood

2008-09-09T14:19:00.001-07:00

Name of NGO: Social Upliftment Trust

Address: Lal Bangla Charhi, Dist- Hazaribag, Jharkhand, India, 825336

Mobile Phone No. 09431557400

Email: rajeev_pandey27@ yahoo.com

Full Name of Contact Person: Rajeev Ranjan Pandey

Designation: Secretary

Area of operation in Bihar: (names of villages / area / relief camps / districts): K. nagar, Purnea

Focus of work: Involvement of more volunteers, medical person, safe drinking water rehablitation.

Bank details (including legal status of NGO):

Bank Account no- S/B Ac 4594.

United bank of India , Charhi.

Registration Date, 26 June 2004

10238 - IV - 257 / 26 June 2004, Hazaribag

Income Tax Registration - registered u/s 12A no. 19/2007-08, FCRA no. 337750074

List of materials needed: Drugs for water purification, plastic sheet, packed foods, packed water, material to disseminate local water purification methods, to promote innovative solution of epidemic caused by flood and to control people beliefs on people/ surroundings.

collection point-

Collection points: Lal Bangla office (Charhi) premises from where things are being supplied for the victims.

Any other information: If donor will need report of utilizing their money will communicate earlier to document relief operation photo and process, we believe in pondering the situation while your suggestion will improve our strategy to be adopt transparent way.

Social Action for Female and Environment (Safe) & Jeevika's Flood Funding Appeal

2008-09-09T08:47:00.001-07:00

The devastating floods in Bihar, one of the worst in recent history, have wrecked havoc in the lives of people, causing the displacement of over 1.5 million people. Safe & Jeevika has responded immediately to the need by providing emergency rescue and relief assistance to affected families. Safe & Jeevika has provided immediate relief to nearly 15,000 people.

Background of the Organization

Safe was originated in 1999 in small urban area in the Madhepura District of Bihar State of India. The aim of the organization was to improve the health and social status of women and improve environmental health. This began as a social movement from few educated youth from this underdeveloped place, who volunteered self to stimulate inner conscious of people around them, to act for the betterment of society and environment. Needed resources were generated from community and the activities were initiated which became self sustainable soon because of community takeover. Thus Social Action for Female and Environment is community born, community driven and community sustained organization addressing community needs in the community settings.

Appeal

For many people in Bihar, life will never be the same again. The floods have destroyed their possessions and their very lives are in danger. Thousands of people continue to face the fury of the floods. As people continue to struggle for their basic needs, your contribution could truly save lives when it reaches people in need

Organization: Social Action for Female and Environment (Safe) & Jeevika

Programme Name - Bihar Flood Victim Care Group

Address: Bihar Flood Victim Care Group, Jeevika, New Officers Colony,

Mirchaibari, Katihar, Bihar, PIN-854105

MOBILE- 09430927890 (Ramesh Misra), 09431095896(Dhananjay)

Contact Person- Ramesh Mishra, General Secretary, Safe & dhananjay Kr., M.D., Jeevika

Area of Operation- 1.Madhepura (Murliganj & Kumarkhand)

2. Supoul (Trivaniganj & Chatapur)

3. Katihar (Amdabad, Manihari & Kursela)

Focus Work- Emergency Rescue, Relief Assistance, and Rehabilitation to affected families

Bank Details- Bank of Baroda, Katihar, Bihar.

Legal Status- Registered under societies reg. act 1860 & 80G of Income Tax.

Collection Point- Katihar, Purina & Madhepura

is your NGO operating for Bihar Flood Relief?

2008-09-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

Dear All,

If your NGO is working in Bihar for Flood Relief, please email us details for wide circulation.

Name of NGO:

Address:

Mobile Phone No.

Email:

Full Name of Contact Person:

Designation:

Area of operation in Bihar: (names of villages / area / relief camps / districts )

Focus of work:

Bank details (including legal status of NGO):

List of materials needed:

Collection points:

Any other information:

Details will be put up at

funding-appeal.blogspot.com And Various Online Forum, Blog and Yahoo groups including these also, will be forwarded to other relevant organisations.

1.         egroups.com/list/Bihar-Network

2.         bihar-network.blogspot.com

3.         bihar-flood.blogspot.com

4.         bihar-floods.blogspot.com

6.         biharfloods.wordpress.com

Thank you.

Regards,

Bihar Group

E-mail: bihar.group@yahoo.com

egroups.com/list/Bihar-Network

www.bihar-network.blogspot.com/

Bihar Flood Support Appeal from Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society

2008-09-03T23:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

I am Anjani, working with district administration of Madhepura district as in charge of external assistance cell. We are operating from the chamber of district magistrate of Madhepura. From the last two weeks there is 4-5 feet water around the town. The only medium of communication is Tractor and small boats. The public of Madhepura left their houses, belongings and moved to a safer place. The office of the DM & SP is surrounded with 2 feet water. All the services required to facilitate the rescue operation was affected. Airtel stopped functioning, power failure continued for last 2 days. The district is facing a devastating flood situation. I am sure all of you are aware of the situation and must be inquisitive to know the situation from a person who is attending to the responsibilities bestowed upon. The State and District Administration is making Herculean effort to evacuate the flood victims from the severely affected blocks with support of the Army. The last flood occurred during this region was in 1934, so everyone was caught unprepared. This is the second time and nobody has any clue during the first few days of the flood, how and where to start the rescue operation. The Army also initially fumbled to start the rescue operation. Now, the rescue operation is in full swing because of proper survey and more Army teams.

I am sending this APPEAL on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS). He is now the Special District Magistrate, Madhepura.

*APPEAL*

As you are aware that a major portion of Bihar has been facing a devastating flood for last few days due to a breach in the embankment of Kosi river at Kusaha in Nepal.

Due to this, the State and more so specifically the districts in the Kosi area namely Madhepura, Supaul and Araria have witnessed the most severe floods causing tremendous misery to people. More than one million people have been displaced from these areas. This has been declared a "National Calamity" by the Central Government of India.

Conservatively around 2.5 million people have been affected by the floods. Central as well as State agencies are making all the efforts to rescue people and provide shelter and relief. During this hour of national crisis, we appeal to all individuals, organizations, institutions and companies to come forward and make contributions towards providing relief to the flood victims.

Once the water start receding, following items will be required in large quantities

1. Volunteers to support the relief operation

2. Water (Tankers, Bottles, Pouches and any other sanitized means)

3. Milk (Powder, Pouches)

4. Food Items (Canned, dry and otherwise)

5. Clothes

6. Medicines

7. Polythene Sheets

8. Sleeping Mats (Dari)

9. Any other suitable item

The support through contributions made by you will go a long way in boosting the morals of flood victims and people of Bihar will ever remember the contributions made by you. For sending relief materials, please contact 9204324417, 06476-292165 / 292166. Material contribution shall be sent in the name of District Red Cross Society, Madhepura / Supaul / Araria.

Funds can also be sent by electronic transfer into the account of:

CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUND,

State Bank of India,

Account Number: 10839124928

Branch: Patna Secretariat, Bihar

The cheques/bank drafts may be sent to the following address:

CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUND

Chief Minister Secretariat

4, Deshratna Marg, Patna

Bihar, India - 800001

Telephone no: 0612-2222430, 2217793.

e-mail: cms-secy-bih@nic.in.

Contributions made to Chief Minister Relief Fund shall qualify for 100 per cent exemption from Income Tax under section 80g(2)(iii)(hf) of the Income-Tax Act.

Regards,

Arvind Kumar Chaudhary

Special District Magistrate

Madhepura

Anjani Kumar Singh

FORD-IFP FELLOW, MIA (EPD)

SIPA, Columbia University

260 MIG, First Floor, Pocket-7

Sector-21, Rohini, New Delhi-86

Tel. No.-91-11-259-65940

Mobile: 9811184089

Email: aks2118@columbia.edu

Forwarded By
--
Jharkhand Forum
E-mail: forum@jharkhand.org.in
www.jharkhand.org.in/forum

http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Jharkhand/message/3298

Maharashtra announces Rs 10 cr for Bihar flood relief

2008-08-30T23:53:00.001-07:00

Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government on Saturday announced financial assistance of Rs 10 crore towards relief efforts in flood-ravaged Bihar.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in Mantralaya here. Along with the financial help, tarpaulins, medicine and milk powder would also be rushed to Bihar, Deshmukh said.

He also directed Chief Secretary Johny Joseph to speak to his Bihar counterpart and check other ways in which Maharashtra could be of assistance to the northern state.

Deshmukh asked Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak to send additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev, who hails from Patna, to undertake a survey of the affected areas.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav spoke to Deshmukh last night and has also written a letter to him, seeking assistance from Maharashtra towards flood relief, a senior official said.

Bihar flood: ‘Goats and dogs sharing meals with people’

2008-08-30T23:52:00.001-07:00

Supaul/Madhepura, August 30: Fleeing the deluge, people are sharing their meals with dogs, goats and stray animals but the devastation has not stopped robbers and musclemen from having a field day in the marooned areas of north Bihar, now beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.

"Snakes and cats have taken shelter atop trees with people. Goats and dogs are sharing meals with men," says Vibha Devi, who left her house in Balua Bazaar, one of the worst-hit blocks in Supaul district to take shelter at her parent's place at Karnapur village.

Faced with an uncertain future, thousands of men, women and children carrying suitcases, bedrolls and sacks containing whatever they could take before leaving their inundated homes along with cattle and dogs can be seen fleeing to safety on the 28-km stretch of NH 106 between Madhepura and Saharsa.

At a relief shelter at Triveniganj in Supaul district, women were engaged in prayers to propitiate 'Kosi maiya' as the swelling river showed no signs of receding.

Human misery notwithstanding, unscrupulous elements are making hay, with the sun shining only for them.

Dinesh Mandal of Rampur in Madhepura district sold the buffalo he had bought last year for Rs 10,000 for just Rs 500.

Sabiya Devi of Sirisiya sold her goat for a meagre Rs 100.

"How to escape death, how to escape the fury of mother Kosi is uppermost on the minds of people," says Dinesh.

However, the local toughs are having a gala time fleecing the hapless flood victims.

"I along with about 20 others boarded a boat taking it to be one of the relief boats of the government. Once we reached midstream the boatman started demanding Rs 3000 to drop us at a relief camp barely two km away and threatened to leave us if we did not not pay. We had to give them the money," said Om Prakash of Murliganj block in Madhepura district.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Bihar-flood---Goats-and-dogs-sharing-meals-with-people-/355379/

Gujarat announces Rs 5 cr assistance for Bihar flood victims

2008-08-30T23:51:00.001-07:00

Patna, Aug 30 (PTI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced a financial assistance of Rs five crore for flood victims of Bihar.

Modi also requested Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to extend Centre's cooperation in transporting a 40-member team of rescuers and 12 modern inflatable boats to the flood-hit areas, official sources here said.

Modi conveyed his concern and sympathy for the flood victims during a telephonic talk with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and apprised him of his government's decision for financial and other assistance.

The rescue team with boats would leave Ahmedabad for Bihar tomorrow afternoon. PTI

Bihar flood hits 60,000 people in Bengal's Malda district

2008-08-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

Malda (WB), Aug 30 (PTI) Nearly 60,000 people of four gram panchayats in Malda district have been affected as Fulohar river swelled due to the gushing of flood waters from Bihar.

Fulohar river has crossed extreme danger level today in several places, according to irrigation department.

At present, at least 45 villages under Islampur, Daulat-Nagar, Mahanandatola and Bilaimari Gram Panchayats are under water. The affected people have taken shelter in neighbouring Bihar. PTI

Bihar Flood Blog Bihar-flood.blogspot.com

Rajasthan's Rs 10 cr for flood-hit Bihar

2008-08-30T23:48:00.001-07:00

The state cabinet presided over by chief minister Vasundhara Raje has decided to extend an immediate financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to flood-hit Bihar.

Cabinet spokesman and minister Laxmi Narayan Dave said if necessary the state would give more assistance to the flood ravaged state. He also appealed to the people to come forward to donate money to the chief minister's relief fund to help the people suffering from flood in Bihar.

The flood situation in the state took a turn for the worse with Madhepura, too, being engulfed by the floodwaters.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jaipur/_Rajasthans_Rs_10_cr_for_flood-hit_Bihar/articleshow/3426792.cms

High waters, heavy rain hamper Bihar flood relief

2008-08-30T23:47:00.002-07:00

PATNA, India (Reuters) - Indian authorities, hampered by heavy rain and damaged roads, were struggling on Saturday to get aid to millions of displaced villagers in Bihar, hit by the worst flooding in 50 years.

The Kosi river burst a dam in neighbouring Nepal earlier this month, deluging Bihar and drowning village after village in its path as authorities failed to evacuate millions in time.

About 85 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced by floodwaters that have smashed houses and destroyed 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of farmland.

"Rains are killing our rescue and relief efforts," Bihar disaster management department minister Nitish Mishra told Reuters.

"Our helicopters were barely able to fly for most of the day yesterday as it continued raining heavily till 4 p.m.," he said.

On Friday, an overcrowded army boat carrying dozens of flood victims overturned in the swollen river, drowning at least 20 people and leaving 10 unaccounted for.

Some 350,000 people have been evacuated over the past 10 days and thousands are marooned, said Pratyay Amrit, a Bihar disaster management official.

Army officers were putting up sandbags and wire mesh along roads in an attempt to fix embankments and prevent the swift flowing river from inundating new areas, said a Reuters witness in the flood-hit district of Saharsa.

The witness also saw more than 1,000 people from nearby villages walking to the city, where they hoped to find food and shelter. Some villagers who chose to stay, built temporary bamboo shelters on high ground, eating uncooked rice and flour mixed with polluted water.

"We keep sitting here the whole night and wondering what to do. How will life go on? Will we survive or not?" said Virender Kumar Saga.

Floods have killed more than 1,000 people in South Asia since the monsoon began in June, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, where 785 people died, and deaths were also reported in Nepal and Bangladesh.

"These are some of the worst floods in generations and they present a huge challenge for governments and humanitarian organisations," said Daniel Toole, UNICEF's regional director for South Asia on Friday.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

UNICEF said more than 1,000 villages in 13 districts had been affected by the surging waters, which have caused extensive damage to roads and water and electricity supplies.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress party, flew over devastated areas by helicopter on Thursday and announced $228 million in aid.

The London-based humanitarian organisation Oxfam said it was providing those affected with temporary shelter, water purification tablets, buckets and oral rehydration sachets.

The rapid changes in the river's course have forced many harried villagers to move shelters many times and to sell their precious livestock to buy food.

"I sold my goat for just 50 rupees which on any other day could have brought me 2,000 rupees," said Sabia Devi.

UNICEF believes it will be months before the displaced families can return to their homes and expressed concerned over the hygiene conditions of the government-run relief camps.

Cases of diarrhoea were reported from many relief camps in the state.

No let-up in Bihar flood situation

2008-08-30T23:47:00.001-07:00

PATNA: Heavy rain and release of water from the Kosi barrage have aggravated the situation in the flood-affected districts of north Bihar on Saturday, snapping road and rail links, putting marooned people to greater peril and throwing rescue operations out of gear.

The rains have triggered panic among the people of Madhepura in particular. At least two lakh cusecs of water was said to have been released from the barrage.

People are fleeing their homes fearing the worst. Adding to their woes is the suspension of rescue operations by the Army in some regions after one of their boats capsized killing 20 people, including an Army man, on Friday night.

The boat had gone to rescue marooned people in Murliganj block of Madhepura. More people jumped onto the boat than it could take.

Among those killed was a special executive magistrate. At least eight, it is believed, swam to safety.

The official death toll has risen to 90 but officials admit that the real dimension of the tragedy would be known only after the floodwaters recede.

Due to heavy rain, the flood waters are rising in Madhepura submerging railway tracks.

A bridge collapse has cut off links between Singheshwar and Madhepura.

Inadequate relief operations are compounding the miseries of the flood-hit. Just about 800 boats are operating, whereas 1.5 million people have been displaced.

The number of boats are less also because the State government had not paid the private boat owners their due last year.

Relief operation is limited to just three IAF helicopters and the dozen relief camps.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083159760800.htm

Transparency and Accountability in Bihar Flood Relief Program

2008-08-30T09:12:00.001-07:00

This is not mere a question of Bihar, that is affected by devastating flood. This is a question of responsibility, transparency and accountability. If I give you an account of flood since last 8 days in 12 district of Bihar in 1000 villages, it reflects how responsible and planned we are? More than 50 lakhs people are affected by Bihar flood in 11 districts so far, more than 70 people have died and many missing, many are surviving inside the water logged villages; many villages will be endemic to water born diseases in coming week. Government cannot respond at such large scale without support of other stakeholders; however Government should start mass initiative to call other stakeholders to come up with support. This is one of the areas where more things are yet to be done.

The readers will be surprised to know that Government has not come up with a single narrative report, maps of affected villages – districts. The government have not released a single holistic report detailing the flood situation in Bihar. This is the most basic thing that anyone will require. The experts respond that it's a largest flood since 1954, if it's a reality than can anyone please share a single report that states the situation and responses of Government.

The report that Department of Disaster Management, Bihar, gives is not transparent. A district wise report has been uploaded in the Department of Disaster Management website, but I swear if a common people can understand that language. Why such information? This information is for whom? I tell you that this is not useful for International organisation, NGOs or even media. It just states the number of villages affected and the number of food packet. What is the actual need and response made against those is not on the website. Is Government not capable of releasing and updating narrative report each day? Is information is less important than relief? Is information and relief cannot go together? I don't believe that Government is less capable; this is only that we don't understand the importance of transparency. I strongly believe that if the correct and easy to understand information is updated on the government websites, it will help government to respond better, it will help international organisation and other civil society organisation to coordinate better with the government in responding to this grim situation. I don't blame anyone for the current situation, no doubt it's a natural calamity but the response will be planned by man. Here we need to plan better and coordinate better and it require information sharing. I appreciate the Government of Bihar response in term of willingness for quick and appropriate response; however the Government can do better by releasing per day information. The Disaster Management website has uploaded press briefing of each day on flood situation in Bihar but unfortunately it is only stating the situation in 3 districts not other eight. The people from other 8 districts will be highly disappointing to know that their districts names are not even getting into the Government press release. Perhaps media, especially Sahara Samay and ETV can play better role and responsibilities by updating holistic Bihar flood situations with video clips on its websites. Both have a lot of video clips but they are using only for telecast. Media has also responsibility towards the people who are watching their channel each and every day. The news channels need to share their news clips and feeds on their website; it will help Government and civil society organisation to respond better. It is a good chance for both channels to promote their news worldwide as many people of Bihar are looking forward to see the flood situation in Bihar and respond.

- An Activist from Bihar

76 die in Bihar floods, 3.5 lakh evacuated in 4 districts

2008-08-30T09:11:00.001-07:00

Patna, Aug 30 (PTI) As swollen Kosi river continued to wreak havoc, the flood situation remained grim in Bihar today with Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Saharsa districts bearing the brunt even as the death toll shot up to 76.

More than 22 lakh people were hit by the deluge in four districts with over 3.5 lakh people already evacuated. Three Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers were pressed for airdropping, official sources said.

Army jawans continued to assist in massive evacuation and relief efforts, as over 1.12 lakh people were lodged in 162 relief camps set up by the government and many more in those run by NGOs, Additional Commissioner of Disaster Management department Pratyay Amrit told PTI.

The toll has mounted to 76 with 22 deaths reported during the past 24 hours from Madhepura district, 20 in the army boat capsize near Mirganj in Murliganj block of the district last evening.

While Madhepura alone accounted for the largest number of 34 deaths, 11 casualties were reported from Muzaffarpur, Saharsa (eight), Supaul (seven), Katihar (five), Sitamarhi and Bhagalpur (four each), Khagaria (two) and Nalanda (one).

Over 30 lakh people in 16 districts -- Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Khagaria, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Saran, Sheikhpura, Vaishali, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Patna and Nalanda -- have been affected by the floods.

The first four districts were the worst affected where over 22.75 lakh people in 755 villages were reeling under its impact. PTI

Bihar sex workers flesh out money for flood victims

2008-08-29T21:29:00.001-07:00

Purnia (Bihar): As Bihar battles its worst deluge in years, relief for the flood victims is coming from unexpected quarters. Sex workers in Purnia are out on the streets to flesh out money from the public for the victims.

"We are fine here. We have houses to live. But we don't get to see the suffering of those who are braving the floods, and those whose homes are destroyed. So we are collecting money for them," says a sex worker Muskan.

Agrees musician Mohammad Mustakin, "We, dancers and musicians, will do whatever we can to help," he says.

The sex workers say they were moved by images of the suffering of flood victims. "We are hurt by whatever we see on TV. And we will do whatever we can by collecting money," says a sex worker Ratna.

The floods have affected normal business in red light areas as well but that is not stopping these women from coming out to do their bit. The response to this initiative has been warm in most places.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bihar-sex-workers-flesh-out-money-for-flood-victims/72482-3.html

NGO estimates Bihar flood death toll at 2,000

2008-08-29T21:27:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) The Bihar government says the official death toll in floods after the Kosi river changed course is 12, but international NGO ActionAid whose workers are on the ground says "it is likely that 2,000 people have died".Citizen's Initiative on Floods in Bihar, a platform of NGOs including ActionAid, says that the government's statistics includes only reported death figures. "However, those missing are not included in the official count," an ActionAid spokesperson said here Friday.

P.V. Unnikrishnan, ActionAid's emergencies adviser for Asia, said: "A large number of people have gone missing. The reason is that the floods have happened in places where floods have not happened for 50 years.

"By not counting those gone missing, the government estimates not only result in inadequate compensation and rehabilitation processes, but also underplay the need for rescue and relief, thus adversely impacting the affected community in need of help."

People have moved to any available high ground, abandoning their homes, possessions and livestock. Makeshift relief camps are operating.

An ActionAid spokesperson said the flood-affected people are being forced to drink unsafe water, and cases of diarrhoea have been reported. The NGO "has distributed tarpaulins and water-sterilising tablets from existing stocks, but will need to buy relief supplies on a much larger scale to meet the needs of flood survivors".

After its team toured the affected villages, the spokesperson said: "The most urgent needs are for temporary shelter, food, drinking water, medical supplies, baby food and delivery kits and sanitary napkins for women. More boats are needed for rescue and relief operations."

Aid from US and UK to Bihar flood

2008-08-29T21:26:00.001-07:00

New Delhi August 29, 2008: The United States has pledged an assistance of Rs 400,000 ($100,000) for the victims of the Bihar floods.

Making this announcement David Mulford, US ambassador to India said that US contribution of $100,000 would be made to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Mulford offered his condolences to the families of those killed in the disaster and his government's willingness to provide further support as needed.

London, Aug 29 (PTI) Britain today announced that it would provide 150,000 pounds (about Rs 1.2 Crore) to help flood victims

in Bihar where more than 2.6 million people in 15 districts have been affected.

The British government's Department for International Development (DFID) said it has asked UNICEF to redirect 150,000 pounds

of an existing Trust Fund for immediate assistance to those who have been made homeless by the severe floods in the

impoverished Indian state.

The funding will be used to supply up to 20 camps, which currently house 10,000 displaced families, with clean water, shelter

and sanitation.

"The situation in Bihar is particularly serious and the UK has responded quickly to provide help to those affected," said

Shahid Malik, Britain's International Development Minister.

He said Britain was in contact with the Government of Bihar "and are on standby to step up assistance if needed". "We will

continue to monitor the situation closely," he added.

The situation in Bihar is particularly serious following a 2-km breach in the eastern embankment of Kosi River in Kusha on

the Indo-Nepal border, which occurred on August 18. More than 2.6 million people in 15 districts of Bihar have been affected by the disaster.

Railways to donate Rs 90 crore for Bihar flood

2008-08-29T21:21:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced an assistance of over Rs 90 crore from the Railway Minister Relief Fund (RMRF) to flood victims in Bihar where rover Kosi is in spate affecting more than 20 lakh people in the state.

"I will donate my one month salary as well Rs 1 crore that I got from a TV show. All railway employees (14 lakh) will also contribute their one day salary, "Prasad told reporters here today, a day ahead of his visit to the flood hit areas.

Besides all PSUs under Railways will contribute to the fund, which will be distributed among the flood victims after the rescue work is over and people come back to villages," Prasad said appealing everybody to donate generously to the RMRF.

Concor, IRCON, and RITEs will contribute Rs 5 crore each, IRCTC, IRFC and Railtel Rs 2 crore each and Kutch Railway, Rail Development Corporation and Dedicated Freight Corridor Rs 25 lakh each to the fund.

Taking note of shortage of drinking water in the affected areas, the Railway Minister announced the dispatch 25 railway tankers carrying potable water and one lakh bottles of 'Rail Neer' immediately.

Besides, the Women Welfare wing of the Railways has promised to donate one lakh saris and dhotis each among the flood victims.

The Railway minister informed that additional trains to rescue people trapped in the flood are being run free of cost in the affected areas.

"These relief trains are being run from August 22, which include six trains each between Saharsa- Madhepura and Purnea-Banmankhi, four between Saharsa-Patna and two between Samastipur and Saharsa," Prasad said.PTI

European Union (EU) aid to Bihar flood

2008-08-29T21:20:00.001-07:00

Brussels, Aug 29 (IANS) The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU), Friday announced that it was sending food aid and other relief material worth 1 million euro (around Rs.62 million) for the flood victims in the Indian state of Bihar. In a statement from Brussels, the commission said that an EU Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) team was on its way from New Delhi to assess needs of the flood victims in Bihar with a view to providing possible additional support, the EuAsiaNews reported.

It has been over 10 days since the Kosi river from Nepal changed its course after almost two centuries, sweeping over large swathes of the state. Last week, the river swelled following a breach in an embankment in Nepal.

Officially 12 people have died in the floods but the unofficial toll is a much higher 57. The floods have affected over two million people in 14 Bihar districts and around 150,000 people have been evacuated so far.

"Large swathes of Bihar state are under water, and the situation is exacerbated by the fact that many of the worst-hit communities have little experience of this kind of flood event," the statement said.

"In the initial stages, the emphasis will be on meeting the basic needs of the most vulnerable people for food, clean drinking water, shelter, essential household items and sanitation," it added.

Last week, the EU dispatched one million euro aid to help flood victims in Nepal.

Meanwhile, Heavy rains disrupted rescue and relief operations in the flood-ravaged state for the second consecutive day Friday, adding to the misery of hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside down by the turbulent waters of the river.

Due to bad weather, the situation is worsening in the five worst affected districts of Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria and Katihar, according to state officials.

Bihar flood Photo Album

2008-08-29T21:12:00.001-07:00

Bihar flood Photo Album

Up to 2,000 feared dead in Bihar floods

2008-08-29T20:09:00.001-07:00

Two thousand people are now feared dead in floods caused after a river changed course submerging hundreds of villages in northern India, prompting claims that the Indian government is playing down the scale of the tragedy.

Although the official death toll in India's impoverished Bihar state is just 65, aid agencies claim that thousands are missing. The Kosi river breached its banks 11 days ago on the border with Nepal, flowing through a channel 75 miles east of its natural route.

Dr PV Unnikrishnan, ActionAid's emergencies adviser for Asia, said: "By not counting the missing, the government estimates not only result in inadequate compensation and rehabilitation processes, but also underplay the need for rescue and relief."

India's disaster management division said more than 2.6 million people in 16 districts had been affected. In Delhi, the UK's International Development department in said that although the Indian monsoon experienced heavy rains each year, this summer they had devastated an area that had historically never been under water.

One major worry concerns the loss of agricultural output - more than 70% of Bihar's 90 million people rely on the land. The government says almost 250,000 acres (100,000 hectares) of farmland is under water, destroying wheat and rice.

Yesterday, the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, announced a £115m relief package and freed 125,000 tonnes of emergency grain. Officials in Bihar claim that large parts of the state are cut off and aid agencies say there is a shortage of boats. Although 400,000 people have been moved to relief camps, ActionAid says people have been forced to drink unsafe water, with growing fears about water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/30/india.flooding

Bihar Flood forcing people out of their homes and the city for what could be two days, two weeks or even two months. Nobody knows.

2008-08-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

The clouds darken ominously and the rain pelts down lending more fury to the floodwaters that are surging in — forcing people out of their homes and the city for what could be two days, two weeks or even two months. Nobody knows.

As the Kosi river, sometimes known as the sorrow of Bihar, changes its course after almost two centuries and sweeps over large swathes of the state, the realisation is gradually dawning. This may not be a normal flood where the waters recede after a while.

A week after the Kosi swelled over following a breach in an embankment upstream in Nepal, the government holds out little hope either.

According to state Disaster Management Minister Nitish Mishra, over 10,000 of the 45,000 population in the town, about 250 km from the state capital Patna, have fled in the last 24 hours.

“More will move out of the town by tonight or tomorrow as the water level is rising. There is little hope that it will recede,” he said, making it clear that the waters may be there till October and people have no option but to move to safer places.

His message seems to have been heard in this town swamped by three to seven feet of water.

Low lying areas like Ambedkar Nagar and Jai Prakash Nagar have become virtual ghost towns with people fleeing, and those who can’t taking refuge in the higher floors.

Crowds can be seen boarding jeeps, buses, autorickshaws and any other vehicle they clamber on to get out of town with the few belongings they could pack as they left their homes behind. Adding to the panic is the heavy rainfall.

“What can we do, we are leaving everything to god’s mercy,” said Maheshwar Gupta, who runs a catering business, while catching a bus to Patna.

“For most people, the only concern is safety for life,” added Mahesh Rai, who runs a dairy business and was boarding a vehicle to take him to Saharsa and was hoping to catch a train to Darbhanga thereafter.

The town echoes with emptiness.

Most shops, except for a couple of chemists, are shut. Government and private offices as well as educational institutions are closed too.

“There was panic among people, a rare thing in my memory here. People were
just trying to get out any way they could to escape floodwaters,” said Baban Singh Yadav, a teacher in a private school.

Train traffic from Madhepura, once Railway Minister Lalu Prasad’s constituency and now represented by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s jailed MP Pappu Yadav in parliament, has been totally disrupted.

Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Narayan Yadav, who is camping in Madhepura for the last five days to monitor the situation, has issued an appeal to people to leave the town as soon as possible.

The minister himself was forced to leave his airconditioned room in the circuit house, with some saying that people’s anger was too much to cope with and others maintaining that the premises were waterlogged.

About 550 inmates of the Madhepura Jail have been shifted to the Saharsa district jail Tuesday evening.

Some have not been so lucky. Like labourer Mahesh Mahto, who has no money to leave town.

“The government should rescue us; we are poor and have no means of survival,” he said, while standing on a high platform near the bus stand.

People in Madhepura are not the only ones suffering. Dozens of boats have been deployed in Darbhanga town to rescue people, and district officials estimate that thousands of people in rural areas are marooned.

About two million people in 14 Bihar districts have been affected by the floods — the most seriously hit areas being Madhepura, Supaul and Araria.

By Indo-Asian News Service on Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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