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Capsize in India floods kills 20 Capsize in India floods kills 20
(30 minutes later)
At least 20 people have been killed after a boat capsized while carrying dozens of refugees from flooding in the Indian state of Bihar, say police.At least 20 people have been killed after a boat capsized while carrying dozens of refugees from flooding in the Indian state of Bihar, say police.
More than 70 people have now died in the floods and hundreds of thousands are stranded without food or water.More than 70 people have now died in the floods and hundreds of thousands are stranded without food or water.
Indian soldiers are using boats and helicopters to reach several hundred remote villages.Indian soldiers are using boats and helicopters to reach several hundred remote villages.
The flooding occurred as water flowing from Nepal caused the Kosi river to breach its banks and change course.The flooding occurred as water flowing from Nepal caused the Kosi river to breach its banks and change course.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says more rain is expected in the next two days so authorities are moving as swiftly as they can to evacuate villages before the waters rise again. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Bihar says more rain is expected in the next two days so authorities are moving as swiftly as they can to evacuate villages before the waters rise again.
The continuing bad weather is hampering efforts to get aid to about 2.5 million people who have been displaced.The continuing bad weather is hampering efforts to get aid to about 2.5 million people who have been displaced.
'National calamity''National calamity'
Our correspondent says many of those stranded in remote villages are sitting on the roofs of their submerged homes.Our correspondent says many of those stranded in remote villages are sitting on the roofs of their submerged homes.
How we rescued survivorsSee how the river changed courseHow we rescued survivorsSee how the river changed course
There is an acute shortage of food and some people are eating uncooked rice and drinking stagnant water to stay alive.There is an acute shortage of food and some people are eating uncooked rice and drinking stagnant water to stay alive.
Tens of thousands of people have crowded into temporary relief camps.Tens of thousands of people have crowded into temporary relief camps.
The boat incident took place on Friday in the worst-affected district, Madhepura, 150km (95 miles) north-east of Bihar's capital, Patna.The boat incident took place on Friday in the worst-affected district, Madhepura, 150km (95 miles) north-east of Bihar's capital, Patna.
Police said 40 people were saved.Police said 40 people were saved.
ON Bhaskar, superintendent of police, told the Associated Press news agency: "The boat was overcrowded because people panicked to be rescued and clambered on board."ON Bhaskar, superintendent of police, told the Associated Press news agency: "The boat was overcrowded because people panicked to be rescued and clambered on board."
Angry villagers in Madhepura said they had no idea where to take shelter and complained they had received no food or aid.Angry villagers in Madhepura said they had no idea where to take shelter and complained they had received no food or aid.
"We have lost everything," said Bimlesh Yadav, escaping with his family to a nearby town."We have lost everything," said Bimlesh Yadav, escaping with his family to a nearby town.
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People try to flee as water floods the areaPeople try to flee as water floods the area
"All our belongings have been submerged in the floodwaters. We are leaving to save our children.""All our belongings have been submerged in the floodwaters. We are leaving to save our children."
Mohanlal Sharma of the BBC's Hindi service in Madhepura said the road between Madhepura and Purnea districts was under 10 feet of water.Mohanlal Sharma of the BBC's Hindi service in Madhepura said the road between Madhepura and Purnea districts was under 10 feet of water.
"Along the route, I saw thousands of villagers running towards the town. Some were on foot, some on their bicycles. Some were taking their cattle. Villagers have loaded their entire life's acquisitions on ox-carts and are trying to escape the waters.""Along the route, I saw thousands of villagers running towards the town. Some were on foot, some on their bicycles. Some were taking their cattle. Villagers have loaded their entire life's acquisitions on ox-carts and are trying to escape the waters."
Indian PM Manmohan Singh, who visited the affected areas in Bihar on Thursday, said the flooding was a "national calamity".Indian PM Manmohan Singh, who visited the affected areas in Bihar on Thursday, said the flooding was a "national calamity".
He has announced an aid package worth $230m (£115m).He has announced an aid package worth $230m (£115m).
But aid agencies say many of the victims are being moved to temporary shelters which lack basic amenities.But aid agencies say many of the victims are being moved to temporary shelters which lack basic amenities.
A report released by Unicef says there are fears of infectious diseases at the camps.A report released by Unicef says there are fears of infectious diseases at the camps.
Army and air force helicopters are continuing to provide aid to the flood-ravaged parts and 600 boats are helping with the relief and rescue work.Army and air force helicopters are continuing to provide aid to the flood-ravaged parts and 600 boats are helping with the relief and rescue work.
But the floods have washed away roads and railway tracks, and water and electricity supplies have been affected in many areas.But the floods have washed away roads and railway tracks, and water and electricity supplies have been affected in many areas.
"This situation is beyond comprehension," Bihar resident, Arshad Khaqani, told the BBC News website."This situation is beyond comprehension," Bihar resident, Arshad Khaqani, told the BBC News website.
Nepal's damageNepal's damage
The Kosi river flows from Nepal where it is called the Saptakoshi river.The Kosi river flows from Nepal where it is called the Saptakoshi river.
On 18 August a dam on the Saptakoshi burst, triggering the subsequent flooding in Bihar.On 18 August a dam on the Saptakoshi burst, triggering the subsequent flooding in Bihar.
Officials in Nepal say hundreds of people there have been hit by illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia and an estimated 50,000 are homeless.Officials in Nepal say hundreds of people there have been hit by illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia and an estimated 50,000 are homeless.
They say nearly 1,000 houses have been completely destroyed. Power supplies and transport have been severely affected.They say nearly 1,000 houses have been completely destroyed. Power supplies and transport have been severely affected.
The costs to the economy are now estimated at one billion Nepalese rupees ($14.25m).The costs to the economy are now estimated at one billion Nepalese rupees ($14.25m).
Have you been affected by the floods in Bihar? Send us your comments and experiences.Have you been affected by the floods in Bihar? Send us your comments and experiences.
Send your pictures and videos of the impact of the floods to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures and videos of the impact of the floods to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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