Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an immediate relief of Rs 500-crore for flood ravaged Bihar.

Modi made the announcement after an aerial survey of flood affected Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj districts in northeast Bihar and review of relief and rehabilitation schemes with chief minister Nitish Kumar and Bihar government officers at Purnia, 368 km east of Patna.

The Prime Minister hinted that the relief amount would be increased after assessment of the damage later in New Delhi. He said a Central government team would soon visit the state to assess the damage.

Modi also directed insurance companies to send their supervisors to the affected areas for assessment of the crop insurance claims of flood-hit farmers.

Modi said the Union ministry of road transport and highways had also directed to take necessary steps for repair of roads damaged in the deluge. The Union government would also help in restoration of electricity infrastructure in the affected areas of Bihar, he added.

Prime Minister’s Relief Fund

Modi also announced payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 to injured in the floods from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Earlier, Modi arrived at Chunapur airbase, Purnia, by a special aircraft. He was received at by Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Soon after his arrival, Modi, along with Kumar, left for aerial survey of the flood affected districts. After a 50-minute aerial survey, Modi discussed flood relief schemes with the chief minister and Bihar government officers at the Chunapur airbase conference hall.

Bihar flood

Meanwhile, the toll in Bihar flood mounted to 418 on Friday, with 1.67 crore people in 19 districts affected by the deluge.

The flood waters, however, have receded in some places, prompting many to return to their homes. The number of relief camps also dropped to 368 from 624, in which 1.59 lakh people were staying, a release by disaster management department said.

Araria district alone accounted for 87 deaths followed by Sitamarhi 43, Katihar 40, West Champaran 36, East Champaran 32, Madhubani 28, Darbhanga 26, Kishanganj 24, Madhepura 22, Gopalganj 20, Supual 16, Purnea nine, Saharsa eight; Khagaria, Saran and Muzaffarpur seven each, Sheohar four and Samastipur two.

A total of 3.54 lakh people had food in 1,403 community kitchens operational in the marooned areas of the state, the release said.

A total of 28 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 1,152 personnel with 118 boats are taking part in rescue and relief operations, it said.

Apart from NDRF, 16 teams of the State Disaster Response Force comprising 466 personnel are helping people in the flood-hit areas with the help of 92 boats.

A total of 630 army personnel in seven teams are assisting in relief and rescue operations with 70 boats, the release added.