Patna, Sept 2 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday lambasted the Bihar Government for laxity in providing relief to the flood victims.

Addressing media here, Lalu Yadav said the Cemtral Government is committed to bail out the people of the flood affected regions from the crisis.

However, he was critical of the Nitish Kumar Government''s alleged laxity in providing relief to the flood victims.

"During this hour of crisis we are ready for all kinds of support for the people of flood affected areas. The Centre is ready to help them with open heart. However, the most disheartening is the apathy of the state''s implementing agencies which are sitting idle," said the Railway Minister.

The flooding, the worst in 50 years, was caused after the Kosi River breached a dam in Nepal. This unleashed huge waves of water that smashed mud embankments downstream in Bihar state.

The waters of Kosi, known as Bihar''s ''river of sorrow'' for its regular floods and tendency to change course, gushed into the state inundating vast areas and affecting around two million people.

Over 4,67,000 people have been evacuated so far, but there are thousands still marooned. Activists and local media say the death toll could be many times higher than official estimates. (ANI)