New Delhi: September 2, 2008:  Mehar Khan, of Araria district in Bihar, is a broken man. He lost his young wife just two days ago in the Kosi floods. Sitting desolate at Old Delhi railway station, and choking on words, he recalls the horrific night.

"It was around 2 in the morning and I was sleeping on the terrace when the gushing waters caused the house to collapse . I survived, but my wife Noor Jahan , who was sleeping downstairs, did not. My parents were in the neighbouring village, Bihariganj, at the time. I still haven't been able to get in touch with them. The past 15 days have been nothing short of a nightmare for me and not enough relief has reached the victims," says Khan.

Kosi waters give life, but this time the swollen river swallowed many, even entire villages. And for others who managed to survive the fury, the official apathy has drowned all hopes. Some of these survivors of Araria and Madhepur districts in Bihar have come to the city, looking for relief and livelihood. With hardly any belongings, they landed on Old Delhi railway station by the Gareeb Nawaj Express on Monday. Their combined cry of sorrow is that government is not doing enough in terms of relief.

A helpless Umesh Kumar (25) from Madhepur district, Murliganj village, managed to reach Delhi with his ailing mother, wife and three small children. The family hasn't eaten even a morsel for two whole days and has come here with only a bag of clothes. Everything else was swept away in the floods. They will live with some relatives, who work Delhi. "I have lost everything - my kirana shop, 8 bighas of farming land - all now submerged in water. My children and mother are sick and I could not get them medical treatment. The makeshift refugee camps set up by the state are not enough as many people are still trapped," says Kumar.

The enormity of the catastrophe may be gauged from the fact that districts like Supaul, Araria, Madhepur and Saharsa are drowned in the waters. Survivors here complain that not enough relief is reaching affected areas. Also, the evacuation process is very slow. In fact, one such passenger of the Gareeb Nawaj Express complains that he had to pay Rs 100 to an RPF jawan to get a ticket for his family, to come to Delhi - a train ride which is otherwise free for the general class.

Another survivor is Sanjay Kumar Sharma from Forbesganj village of Araria district. He used to impart private tuition at home and is a graduate from Forbesganj College.

Says Sanjay: "Thousands are still trapped in outlying villages and the government is painfully slow in getting its act together. We left our village, anticipating that our house too would drown in the waters. I had to pay Rs 100 to one RPF jawan to let my family travel on the train. We boarded the train from Kathiyar. I and 15 other family members have come here, hoping to stay with my wife's in-laws in Noida." On a note of portent he adds, "Kosi looks invincible and its waters are moving any which way."