Patna, August 29 : Rescue and relief operations have been intensified in flood ravaged Bihar as millions await evacuation from the region.

More than 125,000 people have been reportedly evacuated from the flood hit areas so far, there are a million others who are still awaiting succor and relief across over 15 districts presenting a very grim situation.

Local media channels on Friday said that around 120,000 people have been shifted to safety.

New Delhi  - India on Friday carried out one of the biggest evacuation operations in its history, rescuing nearly 1 million people marooned in the flood-hit eastern state of Bihar, officials said.

The floods came when heavy monsoon rains caused the Kosi River to breach its banks as it entered the state from Nepal in the north and change its course. At least 57 people have died in the floods.

More than 3.5 million people have been displaced by the floods, nearly 2 million of them in the five worst-affected districts of Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria and Katihar.

New Delhi/Patna, Aug 29 : With incessant rains lashing catchment areas of the Kosi River, leading to dramatic rise in water levels has prompted the United Nations to rush its agencies to aid the government and independent bodies working to provide relief to flood victims both in India and Nepal.

A UN Children''s Fund (UNICEF) official, Patrick McCormick, said the world body has joined in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Bihar and Nepal.

About 1, 25, 000 marooned people have been evacuated so far in 11 districts of Bihar, the bulk of them by government boats and many on their own. Four helicopters and 200 country boats are working overtime to ferry the men and material to safe destinations.

Kathmandu, Aug 29: Indian officials have agreed to start repair and reconstruction of the Koshi embankment breached by the Saptakoshi River on a war-footing with a view to strengthen two spurs located 13.5 kilometers north of the Koshi barrage.

Deputy Director General of Department of Irrigation Anil Kumar Pokharel said that the Indian authorities will start reconstruction work immediately.

As per the agreement, the Indian side will repair and reconstruct two spurs at West Kushaha and Rajabas. Half of the spur situated 13 kilometers north of the barrage has already been damaged.

Purnia, Aug 29 : Flood waters continue to sweep parts of Bihar and with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar describing the calamity as very grim, politicians have been asked to refrain from politicising the matter.

"This is not the time to play politics on the issue. I know this is the year of Central elections. Therefore, people are out to make comments for political reasons," Kumar said.

New Delhi - More than 50 people were killed and an estimated 1.1 million people were marooned in India's eastern state of Bihar after the Kosi river flooded and changed its course following heavy monsoon rains, officials said Thursday.

"Over fifty people have died in the worst-hit districts of Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Saharsa since Tuesday evening as the death-toll during the monsoons in the state nears 100," said Anil Kumar, an official in the state's disaster management department.