The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have come to the aid of people in ten villages reeling under flood fury in Bihar’s Madhepura district. Around 24,000 people live in 81 wards of 12 panchayats under the Goalpara block of the district reeling under the flood fury Goalpara block is around 290 km north of the State capital of Patna.

Two women were killed on Aug. 21 as they waded through water flowing over a small bridge in Fulaut village in Madhepura district. Bihar flood death toll continues to rise. As on August 21, the state reported 253 deaths in 20 districts. The water level in the catchment areas continues to rise in incessant rains.

“Although water seems to recede gradually, many houses are under water,” Sister Lilly Thomas, a trained nurse, told Matters India on August 20.

The worst affected districts are Araria, Sitamarhi, Kishan-ganj, Madhubani, East and West Champaran, Purnia, Katihar and Khagaria. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and many are left homeless and shelterless.

The Nazareth nun said local people are afraid that they would face a repeat of the 2008 tragedy when the entire area was submerged under water for days.