New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) In the wake of the devastating floods in Bihar, the Congress on Tuesday urged the government and the administration to carry out relief and rescue operations without delay and ensure that essential aid reaches the affected families as soon as possible. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the loss of lives due to floods in Bihar is extremely heartbreaking. "My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Around 50 lakh people in 15 districts are affected by the floods, and daily life has been disrupted in thousands of villages. In this hour of crisis, the government's priority should be to ensure that relief and assistance reach every affected family," he said in a post in Hindi on X. The government and administration must spare no effort in relief, rescue, medical assistance, and rehabilitation efforts, and ensure that aid reaches the affected families without delay, Kharge said.He appealed to all Congress workers to step forward in the affected areas and provide every possible help to the people.

 The entire country stands with Bihar in this difficult time, Kharge said.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also appealed to Congress workers to step forward and provide all possible assistance to the affected people. "The loss of lives due to the devastating floods in Bihar is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this disaster. My sympathies are with all those affected by this tragedy," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. "I appeal to Congress workers to step forward and provide all possible assistance to the affected people. At the same time, I expect the government and administration to carry out relief and rescue operations with full promptness and ensure that essential aid reaches the affected families as soon as possible," Gandhi said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the news of the devastation caused by the horrific floods in Bihar is extremely heartbreaking.

 "Lakhs of people in the state are affected by the floods. There has been a significant loss of lives and property. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the affected families," the Congress general secretary said.She appealed to the government to expedite relief and rescue operations so that help can reach the affected people as soon as possible. "I urge Congress workers to assist the affected individuals to the best of their ability. The entire nation stands firmly with those impacted by this disaster," Priyanka Gandhi said. Nearly 50 lakh people in 15 districts of Bihar have been affected by floods as heavy rain over the past few days further swelled rivers already flowing above their danger marks, officials said on Monday. The state has recorded 112.7 mm of rain so far in September, around six per cent above normal, the local weather office said. An official said incessant rain in the catchment areas of rivers flowing from Nepal into Bihar, coupled with heavy rainfall, has caused several rivers and streams to flow above their danger marks.According to the Disaster Management Department, 49.67 lakh people in 15 districts have been affected by floods.The affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria.

Agencies