Patna, Sep 6: The flood situation in Bihar remained serious on Sunday as rising water levels in several rivers affected nearly 16.85 lakh people (1.685 million) across 11 districts of the state, even as relief and rescue operations are being carried out continuously by the administration in the affected areas.

According to official figures, the flooding has affected 61 blocks and 300 gram panchayats across 11 districts. Authorities have intensified relief measures to provide food, shelter and other essential assistance to people impacted by the floods.

As part of the ongoing relief operations, 80 community kitchens are currently functioning in the flood-affected districts. So far, around 1.21 lakh people have been provided meals through these centres. In addition, one relief camp is operational, providing accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other essential facilities to 326 flood-affected people.

To provide immediate relief to affected residents, authorities have distributed around 45,900 polythene sheets and 11,700 dry ration packets so far. To facilitate the evacuation and movement of people in flood-hit areas, a total of 1,158 boats are currently being operated across the state.

In view of the possibility of further flooding, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in different districts to undertake rapid relief and rescue operations.

According to Water Resources Department data recorded between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Ganga remained above the danger mark at several major locations in Bihar.

At Buxar, the Ganga was recorded 0.08 metres above the danger mark, although the water level was showing a declining trend. At Dighaghat in Patna, the level was 1.54 metres above the danger mark, while at Gandhighat, it was 1.96 metres above and at Hathidah, 1.74 metres above the danger mark. The water level at Gandhighat was stable, while Hathidah recorded a rising trend.

At Munger, the Ganga was 0.51 metre above the danger mark and continued to rise. At Sultanganj, the level was 2.01 metres above the danger mark, while at Bhagalpur it was 0.65 metres above it. The river also remained above the danger mark at Kahalgaon.

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj and Varanasi, the Ganga remained below the warning level. The water level was rising in Prayagraj, while a declining trend was recorded in Varanasi.

Barrage discharge data showed that at 9 a.m. on September 6, the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri was releasing 2,27,739 cusecs of water, with the flow showing a declining trend. The Kosi Barrage at Birpur recorded a discharge of 1,68,400 cusecs, which remained stable. The Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar was releasing 1,29,000 cusecs, with the discharge also reported to be stable.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at several places across the state over the next two days. Heavy rainfall is also possible at some locations.

In view of the possibility of further rainfall and a corresponding rise in river water levels, authorities have been kept on alert to undertake relief and rescue operations. The state government and district administrations are closely monitoring the situation in flood-affected areas, with relief materials, boats and rescue teams being deployed as required.

New Delhi, Sep 6: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp remarks aimed at the Opposition, saying that India’s growth and transformation under the BJP government reflected the reality highlighted by him during his Teachers’ Day address at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC).

PM Modi, while addressing the gathering at SRCC on Saturday, took a sharp dig at the Opposition as he contrasted the challenges and crises India faced in 2013 with the country’s present position and growing strength.

Referring to his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, the Prime Minister said he had administered “homoeopathic pills” to his critics by using the term “dimagi Naxals”.

“Homoeopathic treatment only aggravates the disease for a short time. As soon as I gave this pill, all the mental Naxals started coming out. But the public is seeing their true colours,” PM Modi said.

Taking another swipe at his political opponents, the Prime Minister described two broad kinds of people in the country. According to him, one category works towards positively transforming the power of society into the power of the nation, while the other tends to become a “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle) over every issue.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said PM Modi’s address at SRCC was deeply inspiring and provided the younger generation with an opportunity to understand the realities that existed in the country before 2013-2014.

“Whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday at SRCC was a deeply inspiring address. Through it, our younger generation learned about many realities that existed in the country before 2013-2014, which the Prime Minister highlighted in his speech,” Khandelwal said.

He further said the Prime Minister had presented a comparison of India’s position before the BJP government came to power and the country’s achievements in the subsequent years.

“Whether addressing the mindset of ‘dimagi Naxals’ or presenting a comparative report card at SRCC on where India stood when he assumed office and where the nation stands today, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s journey from the ground level to great heights. This has all happened under the Modi government,” Khandelwal added.

BJP spokesperson T.R. Srinivas, speaking to media, noted that PM Modi’s address at SRCC covered several issues, including India’s approach towards terrorism, strategic deterrence and the country’s push for self-reliance.

“Prime Minister Modi yesterday addressed SRCC in New Delhi, at Delhi University. The first topic he addressed was that the spread of terror is on the back foot. He talked about strategic deterrence working on Indian terms, not on the terms of the world or superpowers. India became Atmanirbhar, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, during which the indigenous weapons were used,” Srinivas said.

He further contrasted the government’s approach towards terrorism with the situation that prevailed before it came to power, referring to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

“Before our government, as seen during the 26/11 also, no action was taken against the terrorists; we are determined to take action against the terrorists and terror infrastructure,” he added.

Meanwhile, reacting to PM Modi’s “Naraz Fufa” remark at SRCC, BJP’s Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi said that criticism and attempts to spread disappointment would not alter the country’s progress, as the results of the government’s work were visible.

“The noise of those spreading disappointment and lies may last for some time, but the facts and results speak for themselves. The country is moving forward, while lies are being left behind,” Saraogi said.

Thrissur (Kerala), Sep 6: In a tragic road accident in Kerala Thrissur district, a couple and their three-year-old son were killed after a speeding car rammed into their motorcycle, officials said on Sunday.

Police said that a search is currently underway to trace the driver of the car who fled from the spot following the accident.

The deceased have been identified as Muneer, 35, his wife Shafna, 28, and their three-year-old son, Mohammed Ameen Aibak. They were residents of Panchavadi Thazhatheth House at Edakkazhiyur in Chavakkad.

According to police, the accident occurred at around 11.30 pm on Saturday on the Guruvayur–Kunnamkulam road. The family was returning home after attending a wedding ceremony when they stopped their motorcycle by the roadside to attend a phone call.

Meanwhile, a car bearing registration number KL-46-U-6001, travelling in the same direction, reportedly lost control and crashed into their motorcycle.

The impact was so severe that all three occupants of the bike were thrown nearly 50 metres away. Though they were rushed to different private hospitals with serious injuries, none of them could be saved.

Police officials said the car driver, who was allegedly returning from a bar in the Kunnamkulam area, fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Two other people who were travelling in the car have been taken into police custody and are being questioned.

Police have launched a search for the absconding driver.

In a similar tragedy, eight engineering college students from Tamil Nadu were killed after the car in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary goods lorry on National Highway 66 at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur district around midnight on Friday.

The accident occurred at Panambikkunnu Centre on a stretch of the national highway where construction work is underway.

The Tamil Nadu-registered car, carrying eight people, crashed into the rear of the lorry, which had been parked near a diversion created as part of the ongoing highway works.

The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the car completely mangled and trapping its occupants inside.

Local residents and rescue personnel rushed to the spot after learning about the accident. The damaged vehicle had to be cut open to extricate the victims.

Seven of the occupants are understood to have died at the accident site, while another victim was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.