State Water Resource Minister Jagdanand Singh said the state government had engaged sufficient number of engineers and labourers to plug the embankment. But the Army's help was required keeping in view the "stupendous work."

A high-level team of Army officials led by a brigadier visited the site a couple of days ago, he said. "Quick" requisitioning of army personnel would augment the pace of work to plug the breach.

The minister said the embankment breached inundating vast country-side in West Champaran and contiguous districts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

Kusinagar district in Uttar Pradesh was the worst-affected by floods, he said.

Flood waters surged into several villages under Madhuban, Thakraha, Bagaha, Piparasi, Bhitaha,Nautan and Baria blocks in West Champaran following the breach, the water resource minister said.

A population of over 80,000 was affected while over eight thousand people in five villages of Madhuban and Thakraha blocks were rendered homeless.

According to state relief department, a population of over 7.52 lakh spread over the 12 districts, including Bhagalpur, Saran, Gopalganj, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and Madhubani, besides West Champaran were affected by the floods.

A central water commission report said major rivers, Kosi, Bagmati, Mahananda and Punpun, were flowing above the red mark in different places in the state.

GUWAHATI: Meanwhile, the overall flood situation in Assam continued to be grave today though the Brahmaputra and its tributaries were receding in some of the 19 districts of the state.

Official sources said the floods had so far claimed 24 lives, taking the death toll due to landslides and floods to 75. More than 25 lakh people were affected in 3,000 villages.

The situation inthe worst-hit Dhemaji and Nalbari districts remained grim with the rivers still flowing above the danger level and several villages were still submerged.

In Sonitpur district, the situation improved marginally though road communication with neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and other districts of the state remained cut off. The situation in Jorhat remained grim with the Brahmaputra flowing above the danger level and continuing to rise though in Majuli it was receding.

In Lakhimpur, the Subansiri and its tributaries were receding but flowing above the danger level while in Tinsukia the Brahmaputra and Nadehing rivers were flowing below the danger level.

In Dhubri district, the situation was still critical with the Brahmaputra flowing above the danger level. The Dhubri to Binnachara and Golokgunj to Kachakhan PWD roads remained submerged.

In the south Salmara Mankachar sub-division, 158 villages were affected and the family members had taken shelter on highlands and road.

Engine boats were pressed intoservice in relief and rescue operation at Mankachar circle. In Golaghat district, the situation remained grim with 46 villages still submerged though it improved marginally in Bokakhat sub-division.

In Darrang district also, the situation was grim with road communication between Barichowka-Sipajhar disrupted. Heavy erosion has been reported from Dhansiri village and the Sagunbari embankment was severely damaged.

The flood situation improved slightly in Morigaon district though road communication in several places have been disrupted.