Conceding to the request of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has issued a Rs 1000 crore immediate assistance for rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit state. He has also granted 1.25 lakh tones of foodgrains for the affected people in the region.

The Indian PM along with the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi went on an aerial survey of the districts in Bihar submerged in the waters of the Kosi river. He assured the people that all necessary help will be given to Bihar to combat the situation. Both the leaders reached the Purulia airbase from New Delhi through a special IAF plane.

They took an IAF chopper from here to survey Supaul, Saharsa, Araria and Madhepura districts. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and many other union minister accompanied Singh and Gandhi. More than 25 lakh people in Bihar's 15 districts have been adversely affected by the impact of one of the worst floods in recent memory.