Patna (PTI): Describing the floods in Bihar as a "national calamity", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday announced an immediate assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to the state for rescue and relief operations and 1।25 lakh tonnes of foodgrains to tide over the situation.
After undertaking an aerial survey along with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi of the four worst affected districts in the state where the swollen Kosi river continued to wreak havoc, Singh also assured Bihar to provide all possible help to meet the situation।
Singh and Gandhi arrived at the Purnia airbase by a special IAF plane from New Delhi and took off in an IAF chopper to undertake the aerial survey in Supaul, Saharsa, Araria and Madhepura districts, official sources said।
They were accompanied by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil as also several union ministers including Lalu Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar।
Earlier, Kumar received Singh and Gandhi at the Purnia airbase and briefed them about the flood situation।
Over 25 lakh people in 15 districts have been hit by the impact of one of the worst floods in recent memory with victims from these four districts making up 19.78 lakh.
The Chief Minister who met the Prime Minister in New Delhi yesterday had sought central assistance of Rs 1,000 crore and one lakh tonnes of foodgrain immediately for the affected people.
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