Floods Affect over 8.3mln People in Bihar

A total of 8.3 million people have been affected by floods in India's Bihar state.

At least 16 districts across the state are under flood-water, Xinhua reports quoting Bihar Disaster Management Department (BDMD).

The floods have directly affected a population of 8,362,451 and claimed 27 lives in six districts.

The worst affected districts are Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, East Champaran, West Champaran, Khagaria, Saran, Samastipur, Siwan, Madhubani, Madhepura and Saharsa.

Officials said several rivers and rivulets were flowing above the danger mark in the affected districts. Floodwater has inundated residential areas and poses a threat to embankments. Reports said floodwater has entered houses and people are using boats to move around.

Authorities said presently 26 teams of disaster response force personnel were deployed in the affected areas to carry out rescue work.

According to officials, over half a million people have been evacuated.

Flooding has been going on in Bihar since July 13.