The massive evacuation drive has been launched in eight districts of Bihar due to flood threat in river Kosi . Fifteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force have been pressed into service. Quoting official sources, our Patna correspondent reports, about 76 relief camps are being set up for the evacuated families.

State government has also set up many cattle relief camps. On the precautionary point of view state government has opened all the 56 gates of Kosi barrage at Birpur. The state government has cancelled leave of government officials and employees in these areas. It is feared that the flood if occured would affect more than 1.5 Lakh people in Supaul, Madhubani, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Araria districts.

The Centre has assured all help to Bihar government in evacuation and relief work being carried out in several districts of the State facing threat of floods. In a tweet, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, he had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today. The Chief Minister apprised him of the emerging situation due to overflow in Kosi. Mr Singh said NDRF teams have already been despatched to the areas where the river is feared to cross the danger mark.

The Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth is meeting in New Delhi this morning to review the flood situation in Bihar following landslide and blockage in Kosi river which originates in Nepal.

The flood situation arised due to sudden release of water in the river following blockage due to a landslide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the situation and directed all possible help to Bihar government and the Himalayan nation. In a statement, Home Ministry said that eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force and four teams of the State Disaster Response Force have been pressed into service. An additional 7 teams of the NDRF are being mobilized from West Bengal.