The Bihar and Assam floods have caused the death toll to mount to 197, with a total of 1.24 crore people being affected across both the states.

Worsening Situation

Officials said that following a brief let up, the situation has worsened over the past couple of days with Bihar receiving above-normal rainfall. On July 24, the death toll in Bihar rose to 123 with the deaths of 17 people. 

Many parts of West Champaran were submerged as rivers swelled up. Champaran has so far not been counted among the flood-hit districts. The overall average rainfall received by the state stood at 28.9 mm, which is 221% above normal.

In Assam, six more people died, taking the total figure to 74. 

The state disaster management department in Bihar said that the death toll in the worst-affected Sitamarhi district rose from 27 to 37. Raising the toll to 30, five more people died in Madhubani. The figure rose from two to four in Muzaffarpur. 

A statement issued by The Central Air Command said that the Bihar government had made a request so that helicopters are deployed to join the relief operations. To join the operations, two helicopters have already been deployed to Darbhanga.

The total number of people affected by the floods has been put at 81.57 lakh in 105 blocks of 12 districts by the department. 

Of the recent deaths in Assam, one person died each in Nalbari, Barpeta, Dhubri and Golaghat districts and three in Morigaon district, India Today reported officials as saying. 

Assam State Disaster Management Authority said that floodwaters have affected 38.82 lakh people, inundating vast areas of 20 of all 33 districts in the state. 

The Financial Express reported PTI as claiming that food is being prepared at 835 community kitchens for the victims of the floods. Further, 42 relief camps have been set up for those displaced by the calamity to take shelter.

Also Read: 44 Dead, 17 Lakh Affected: The Assam Floods Demand The Immediate Attention Of The Media & The Public