10 Sep :A marginal improvement took place post flood havoc in Bihar on Wednesday with the water level receding faster in the affected areas, though even now 29.57 lakh people continue to reel in one of the worst floods the nation has ever seen.
Less rain in the flood-ravaged areas has contributed to the let up in the flood situation, over 3.11 lakh houses were damaged or destroyed completely in these five districts alone.
Meanwhile, sources in Water Resource Department said the protection work on the cut ends of the East Kosi afflux embankment, both up and downstream, at the breach site at Kusaha in Nepal is progressing at a fast pace.
The strengthening of the cut ends is required to prevent any further widening of the breach as also for its closure.Engineers have been drafted to supervise the strengthening of the cut ends and spurs at the breach site.
According to a release issued by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, President Pratibha Patil has sanctioned payment of grants-in-aid of a little over Rs 389.49 crore as second instalment for construction of dwellings in 14 flood-hit districts under the Indira Awas Yojana for 2008-09.
A decision has also been taken to give Bihar an additional Rs 15 crore for construction of 58,000 houses in flood-hit districts under the IAY, the release said.
The state government has been asked to release its share in the expenditure to be incurred for construction of dwellings under IAY. The expenditure on the implementation of the programme was to be shared on 75:25 basis between the Centre and the state.
Over three lakh food packets were distributed so far of which 1,14,143 were airdropped by IAF choppers.Cooked food is also being served to those taking shelter in relief camps, a disaster management department release said. DDINEWS