Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil and requested them to immediately send additional forces to accelerate the relief work in the flood hit areas of Bihar.
Prasad also met the Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar.
"Prasad told the PM that lakhs of people in Madhepura, Supaul, Araria, Purnea, Saharsa and Katihar are trapped in floods and there is an immediate need to take them to safe places.
Prime Minister has given directives to the Cabinet Secretary to take action without any delay," a railway ministry release said.
He has requested the PM and the home minister to make additional personnel from all three wings of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, motorboats, helicopters and other necessary items available to the Bihar government for the relief and rescue work.
Meanwhile, the Rail Minister also appealed to all railway employees to donate one day's salary for the flood victims in Bihar.