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Indian PM says flood 'a calamity' | Indian PM says flood 'a calamity' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says floods in the northern state of Bihar are a "national calamity". | Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says floods in the northern state of Bihar are a "national calamity". |
He has visited areas where 55 people have died and some two million are displaced after the Kosi river breached its banks, changing course. | He has visited areas where 55 people have died and some two million are displaced after the Kosi river breached its banks, changing course. |
The prime minister has announced an aid package worth $230m. | The prime minister has announced an aid package worth $230m. |
But aid agencies say many of the victims are being moved to temporary shelters which lack basic amenities and are at risk from disease. | But aid agencies say many of the victims are being moved to temporary shelters which lack basic amenities and are at risk from disease. |
Displaced | Displaced |
Accompanied by the president of the governing Congress Party Sonia Gandhi, the prime minister flew over the flood-affected area by helicopter to get a first-hand view of the devastation. | Accompanied by the president of the governing Congress Party Sonia Gandhi, the prime minister flew over the flood-affected area by helicopter to get a first-hand view of the devastation. |
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Residents wade through the floods | Residents wade through the floods |
At least two million people have had to move out of their homes after the government ordered them to evacuate because of the rising waters. | At least two million people have had to move out of their homes after the government ordered them to evacuate because of the rising waters. |
Meanwhile, soldiers and air force helicopters continued to provide aid to the flood-ravaged parts. | Meanwhile, soldiers and air force helicopters continued to provide aid to the flood-ravaged parts. |
Food and medicines were being air-dropped to the stranded people. | Food and medicines were being air-dropped to the stranded people. |
Hundreds of relief camps have been set up to house people evacuated from the flooded areas. | Hundreds of relief camps have been set up to house people evacuated from the flooded areas. |
Despite the army being pressed into the relief and rescue efforts, many of the victims complained that they had received no assistance. | Despite the army being pressed into the relief and rescue efforts, many of the victims complained that they had received no assistance. |
The floods have washed away roads and railway tracks, and water and electricity supplies have been affected in many areas. | The floods have washed away roads and railway tracks, and water and electricity supplies have been affected in many areas. |
A report released by Unicef says there are fears of infectious diseases as hundreds of thousands of homeless crowd into relief camps. | A report released by Unicef says there are fears of infectious diseases as hundreds of thousands of homeless crowd into relief camps. |