Bihar is battling devastating floods as water levels in the Ganga and other rivers surged after very heavy rainfalls continued to lash the state. As per Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, incessant rains in Bihar which have left many parts of the state flooded has until now, claimed 29 lives.
In the face of the calamity, the Bihar government has issued emergency helpline numbers for people in need.
The Helpline Numbers are:
BUIDCO (18003456130)
PMC (18003456644)
District administration (0612-2219810, 0612-2294204 and 0612-2294205).
Moreover, the water resources department minister of Bihar, Sanjay Kumar Jha has taken to Twitter to launch a hashtag, for Twitter and Facebook for helping the people in distress. The hashtag is #BiharFloodRescue. Jha has urged all those who need any sort of help to share their location with him and has assured prompt help from his side.
Every life is precious & we’ve been working round-the-clock in providing rescue services. Anyone in need of help can contact me on #SocialMedia. I have launched a special hashtag #BiharFloodRescue for both Twitter & FB. Share your location with me. I shall ensure quick action. pic.twitter.com/L8bOcYWWTZ
— Sanjay Kumar Jha (@SanjayJhaBihar) September 30, 2019
The state government has requested the Indian Air Force for helicopters for lifting and airdropping food packets and medicines in flood-affected areas of Patna.
19 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already been deployed in affected areas of Bihar to carry out rescue and evacuation operations. Till last night, as many as 235 people have been evacuated from low lying areas of Patna to safer places. A total of 4945 people and 45 livestock.
The Indian Railways have cancelled 13 long-distance trains while 20 other trains have been diverted. Railway tracks at Patna Junction and several other places were submerged.
While the rains have reportedly stopped in some parts of Bihar, the IMD has issued a red alert and heavy rains are predicted.