Patna, Aug 21 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Jayprakash Narayan Yadav today blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the grim flood situation in the state, alleging that the government failed to take preventive measures in time.

After making an aerial survey of the flood affected areas of north Bihar, Mr Yadav told newspersons here that even after the Virpur Barrage spurs was declared dangerous by the central team on October 27, 2007, the state government failed to repair it before the onset of the monsoon this year. Due to poor maintenance of the barrage, the state was reeling under the grim flood situation,he alleged.

Mr Yadav said the Centre was releasing the fund to the state for maintenance of embankments but the Bihar government had failed in discharging its responsibilities following which the state was again facing the flood fury.

The minister further said that the state government should have taken the Centre in confidence adding that the matter could not be resolved in time because of slackness on the part of the Nitish Kumar government.

Lambasting the state government for the current floods, he said the state government should have alerted the district administration well before time to avoid largescale sufferings.

Mr Yadav said after getting information about the breach in the embankment on Kosi river on August 18, the state government approached Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma to negotiate with Nepal.

After taking stock of the situation in the flood affected areas, the minister said that several areas of north Bihar were inundated.

He also assured to extend full cooperation to provide relief to the flood affected people.

UNI RS-KKS ADG RL HT1935