M I Khan reports from Patna

Flood situation continued to remain grim in Bihar on Saturday with the death toll rising to 202 and number of flood-affected people increased to 121.56 lakh, an official of Bihar disaster management department said.

"The flood situation remains grim in 18 districts in Bihar," the official said.

Reports of protest by flood victims is reaching the capital from the worst hit districts of Kishanganj, Gopalganj,West Champaran, Araria, Purnea, Katihar and Sitamarhi.

Protesting flood victims blocked roads demanding relief.

According to an official release of the department, so far 202 people have died.

The highest number of 42 deaths has been reported from Araria district, followed by 31 in Sitamarhi, 29 in West Champaran,13 in Supaul, and 12 in Madhubani district.

However, unconfirmed reports reaching Patna say the death toll is over 250.

Bihar disaster management department officials said that 121.56 lakh people in 1,842 panchayats under 164 blocks in 18 districts have been affected by the calamity.

According to them, about 6,25,788 people have been evacuated to safe places by the rescue teams in the last five days and the government has set up 1,336 relief camps in which 4,22,106 people are living.

"For the flood victims about 1,879 community kitchens are running in the state," the official said.

Bihar disaster management department principal secretary Pratyaya Amrit told Rediff.com that relief materials were air dropped in West Champaraan's Sugauli, Gaunaha, Chaanpatia, Narkatiagaanj and Purnea, Araria and Kishanganj districts on Saturday.

IMAGE: An aerial view of a flood-hit area at Bal Bal in Betiah in West Chaparan, Bihar on Friday. Photograph: PTI Photo

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'All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations,' Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu said.

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'All efforts being taken to ensure speedy relief and rescue operations,' Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu said.

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Railways spokesperson Anil Saxena says 14 coaches of Utkal Express got derailed.

Earlier, it was said that five coaches derailed.

"At this stage nothing can be said about the cause of accident," he said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announces ex gratia of Rs 3.5 Lakh for those who lost their lives in the Utkal Express derailment in Muzaffarnagar.

Rs 50,000 will be given to seriously injured and Rs 25,000 to people with minor injuries.

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Expressing deep condolences at the loss of lives in the derailment of several coaches of the Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga Utkal Express which took place near Khatauli railway station in Muzaffarnagar, Odisha Chief Minister

Utakl Express derailment update: Anand Kumar, Additional Director General (Law and Order) says 10 passengers have been killed while 30-40 seriously injured in the accident.

"30 ambulances have reached the spot," Kumar said.

IMAGE: Coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express after it derailed in Khatauli near Muzaffarnagar on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo

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