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SITAMARHI, Bihar, India, Aug. 3-- Sitamarhi is the worst affected district, besides 12 others, in flash floods in India's eastern state of Bihar, even as around 40 human deaths were reported from here out of the total 130 from across the state over the two weeks beginning July 15. The main cause of floods in the low-lying areas of Bihar is the overflowing of several rivers flowing down from neighbouring country Nepal, which plays havoc in these places almost every year. Xinhua correspondent travelled to the areas devastated by floods in Sitamarhi district to report from ground-zero and arrived at village "Dhaaptola" riding a rescue boat, only to see a village of around 200 houses. Most of the houses built in mud with thatched roofs are surrounded by the overflowing Bagmati river from all four sides. The river had inundated almost all the houses for eight to 10 days beginning the night from July 14-15. The inhabitants had to spend several days on temporary bamboo stretchers which they put on roof-tops or other places above the water-level, even as it rained, sometimes heavily. Flood-waters continue to inundate the villagers' agricultural fields, and boats provided by rescue teams, belonging to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are the only mode of transport for them to nearby markets to buy daily necessities. Similar rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army are too pressed into service in nearby areas to extend relief and work to the flood victims. | 
