Bihar floods: What happened in America, asks 'angry' Nitish Kumar
What's the story
For the last couple of days, Bihar has been reeling under devastating floods. The situation in capital Patna served as a grim reminder that nothing is fine in the state. Innumerable houses were submerged and normal life was thrown out of gear. Despite all this, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remained cold and asked if water in Patna is the "only problem" we have.
What happened
Distressed residents demanded answers from Kumar
On Tuesday, the JD(U) chief surveyed some worst-hit neighborhoods of Patna. There, he was greeted by a swarm of angry residents, who have been devoid of basic facilities like drinking water and electricity. When journalists asked Kumar about the prevailing condition, he appeared irritated. He blamed heavy rains, drought, and said relief work is going on in full swing.
Quote
Forgetting Bihar, Kumar kept asking about America
"I am asking in how many parts of the country and across the world, have there been floods? Is water in some parts of Patna the only problem we have? What happened in America?" Kumar asked.
Twitter Post
Watch: Kumar lost cool when asked tough questions
#WATCH Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after visiting flood-affected areas in Patna: I am asking in how many parts of the country across the world, there have been floods? Is water in some parts of Patna the only problem we have? What happened in America? #BiharFloods pic.twitter.com/9XfNcuZr0H
— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2019
Rescue
IAF choppers dropped relief material
Visuals that surfaced on social media showed Patna's residents didn't get relief even after rains stopped. Electricity supply remained cut-off and the absence of high-powered pumps added to the woes. Those living in Hanuman Nagar, Rajendra Nagar and Kankar Bagh areas were lucky to get relief material dropped by Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers. Some people waved shirts to draw attention.
Death toll
Over 40 people have died in the floods
Reports have it that nearly 42 people have lost their lives in the floods. "The situation wasn't so bad even during the 1975 floods," a resident told NDTV. The floodwater didn't even spare the posh localities. A few days ago, deputy CM Sushil Modi and his family were rescued by NDRF officials. One can only imagine the trouble of "non-VIP" people.
Quote
One resident turned towards humor to talk about problems
"Rajendra Nagar looks like new Venice ...it is not waterlogged but water-locked...this is the situation in a locality in the heart of the State capital and considered to be a posh area where even Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi lives," a resident told The Hindu.
Twitter Post
While CM is concerned about America, residents are crying
#WATCH A woman who was rescued from flooded Kankarbagh area of Patna breaks down while trying to recall her ordeal. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/0DQcnQlPkl
— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2019
Attack
Separately, Giriraj Singh blamed state government for Patna's condition
Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh pulled no punches while slamming Kumar for the situation in Bihar. "In Patna, people are suffering due to the fault of the state government and the administration. There is loot in the name of relief in floods affected areas," the firebrand BJP leader, who doesn't share good terms with ally Kumar, said on Tuesday in Begusarai.