Khagaria/Patna:At least 15 people have drowned in three boats capsize incidents reported from as many flood-hit districts of Bihar, officials said here on Wednesday.
While ten deaths were reported from Khagaria district, Saharsa and Darbhanga accounted for three and two casualties, respectively.
Khagaria District Magistrate Alok Ranjan Ghosh said the deceased in his district were among the more than 20 people riding a boat that capsized in the Gandak river, in Mansi police station area, late Tuesday night.
While 12 people swam to safety, the exact number of those who have gone missing was not known, he said, adding the State Disaster Response Force was continuing with its search operation.
The ten deceased include five females and five males. The youngest among them are a 10-year-old boy and a girl, aged 12.
In Darbhanga, the mishap took place in Hayaghat police station area, SHO Amarendra Kumar said.
He said that on Tuesday night a boat carrying 13 people overturned in the Kareh river. While 10 people swam to safety, the bodies of two women, aged 40-45 years, were recovered by the NDRF after several hours of search operation.
A 16-year-old boy was still untraceable, he added.
Also Read: Flood-affected couple mowed down by pick-up van in Bihar; 2 arrested
In Saharsa, a boat carrying 13 people capsized in the Kosi river under Silkhua police station area.
Saharsa District Councilor Om Prakash Narayan speaking to ETV Bharat According to the Sub Divisional Officer of Simri, Birendra Kumar, eight people swam to safety, while three bodies have been recovered. The deceased include a five-year-old boy and his father, besides a 15-year-old girl.
The boy's mother, aged 25 years, besides another person, were yet to be traced.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar issued a statement expressing grief over the death and ordered expeditious payment of ex-gratia to all bereaved families.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday took to Twitter and condoled the tragic deaths of 10 people drowned in Khagaria.
"Many people were drowned in the heartbreaking incident caused by the overturning of a boat filled with about 40 people in Khagaria district. 10 bodies have been recovered and the other is missing. I am sorry to hear this sad news. May God gives peace to the souls of the dead and courage to their families to bear the grief," Yadav said in a tweet (Translated from Hindi).
Meanwhile, MLA Poonam Yadav announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to the kins of the deceased. "We got information about the boat got imbalanced. I think there were 25 people who drowned, as per the boat capacity. We do not know how many bodies are missing. We will Rs 4 lakhs to kins of the deceased and we will also try to provide govt job to their families."
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
Also Read: Bihar flood toll surges, over 63 lakh people affected
