Air Force donates 223 tones of ration for Bihar flood victims

Bihar FloodNew Delhi, Sep 5 : The Indian Air Force has donated 223.80 metric tones of ration for the flood relief operations in Bihar.

The ration will mainly include Atta, Rice, Dal, Sugar, Salt and Ghee. The distribution of this ration will take place through Army Central Command, which is designated as the Nodal agency for Bihar flood relief operations.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta today chaired a meeting of the National Executive Committee to review the flood situation in Bihar. Representatives from the concerned ministries of the Government of India and the Bihar Government were among those present at the meeting.

It was informed at the meeting that evacuation, wherever required, has already been done. Around 10 lakh people have been evacuated so far. Of them, 3 lakh are in the relief camps. 257 relief camps are operational and 3 mega-camps have been planned at three district headquarters.

The Union Home Secretary said that the drinking water and sanitation issues now need to be under focus and suggested more expert interaction and ground level visits for the purpose.

The Defence Ministry representative informed that they have so far conducted 600 sortis and distributed 2,000 metric tonnes of ration to the affected people. 5,000 of their personnel are deployed and 38 mobile medical teams are operating.

The Home Secretary advised the Water Resources Ministry and the Bihar Government to expedite the plugging of the breached portion of the embankment on the Kosi river.

The Home Secretary felt that with the fire-fighting part of the crisis almost over, the focus now has to be on the rehabilitation and rebuilding process. (ANI)