India

Two million trapped as PM declares floods a "national calamity"

Article published on the 2008-08-28 Latest update 2008-08-28 14:24 TU

An aerial view of some of the flooding
(Photo: Reuters)

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared flooding in the north-eastern state of Bihar is a "national calamity" after touring the devastated region on Thursday. At least two million people are marooned by the waters, while tens of thousands have fled the area.

Singh announced a relief package worth 154 million euros and 125,000, tonnes of grain, while declaring, "If there is a need for more, we will give more."

The flooding started ten days ago when the Kosi river breached its banks on the border with Nepal, flowing through a channel it had previously abandoned.

Now there may be a further disaster, says correspodent Vickram Roy.

"There are reports that a new river, which is using an abandoned channel, is splitting again and nobody has any experience of how to deal with a situation like this," he told RFI.

Officials say that more than 90,000 people have been evacuated by government rescue agencies and at least 46 people have died.

Authorities on both sides of the border have been in dispute over maintenance of flood control structures and uncleared silt.

In Nepal, according to officials, about 50,000 people have been displaced by the floods and have sheltered in schools and improvised camps.

The Kosi, which flows into the Ganges, is known as the "River of Sorrows" because it floods so often during the monsoon season.

More than 800 people have been killed in monsoon-related incidents in India this year.