VOA标准英语2008年-Millions Affected by Indian Flooding

India's military has been sent into the state of Bihar, where an estimated two million people are affected¹ by the flooded Kosi River. At least 40 people are dead and there are fears that the breach² will expand in the days ahead, which could wash away many communities. VOA correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.
　
India's military was sent into state of Bihar, where an estimated two million people are affected by the flooded Kosi River

India's army is using 250 motor boats to try to rescue some of the people trapped by the flood waters of the Kosi River in Bihar State. Air force helicopters are dropping food, as the scale of the disaster overwhelms the local authorities.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appealed to the national government for help.

Kumar says to call this a flood is an understatement; that it is a catastrophe³. In a radio address to those in the danger zones, he pleaded with them to try to seek higher ground.

Roads and railroad tracks have been damaged by the waters, making it difficult to reach those stranded⁴. For those marooned⁵ along the swollen⁶ river, the situation is desperate.

This victim told reporters no help is coming from from authorities. The frustration⁷ is reported to have provoked angry demonstrations⁸ in some communities.

It is estimated that up to two million people have been affected after torrential rains triggered flooding. More than a week ago, he Kosi River, which empties into the Ganges, burst its embankment upstream in Nepal and changed course.

The deluge⁹ has put about half of Bihar under water, including an estimated 36,000 hectares of standing¹⁰ crops. Relief agencies estimate a quarter-million homes have been destroyed.
　
Manmohan Singh (file photo)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to tour the soaked state, Thursday.

Bihar is one of India's poorest regions. People there refer to the Kosi as the "Sorrow of Bihar" because the river floods frequently and its course is unpredictable.

Weather forecasters predict that the area will see more heavy rain, within the next several days. That has relief agencies gearing up for the possibility of a major humanitarian¹¹ crisis.

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 breach   

n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破

参考例句：

• We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
• He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。

3 catastrophe   

n.大灾难，大祸

参考例句：

• I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
• This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。

4 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

5 marooned   

adj.被围困的；孤立无援的；无法脱身的

参考例句：

• During the storm we were marooned in a cabin miles from town. 在风暴中我们被围困在离城数英里的小屋内。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Five couples were marooned in their caravans when the River Avon broke its banks. 埃文河决堤的时候，有5对夫妇被困在了他们的房车里。 来自辞典例句

6 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

7 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 deluge   

n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥

参考例句：

• This little stream can become a deluge when it rains heavily.雨大的时候，这条小溪能变作洪流。
• I got caught in the deluge on the way home.我在回家的路上遇到倾盆大雨。

10 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

11 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。