Even as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dashed to New Delhi on Sunday to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and seek Central assistance for flood-devastated Bihar, the deluge wrecked havoc in fresh areas cutting off the state's road link with the Northeast.

Vehicular traffic was suspended on Sunday as the National Highway 31 was flooded at three points in Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts. Khagaria District Magistrate Mayank Barwade said they were forced to close the highway after water from the overflowing Kosi river inundated it at Pasraha. The highway was also under water at two other points in Bhagalpur district.

The death toll in the state has climbed to 226 with two more women being swept away by the strong water current in Begusasari district. According to the state's Disaster Management Department, over 15 million people are reeling under flood across 19 districts of the state.

Four IAF helicopters are engaged in dropping food packets in marooned areas and nine army boats are assisting the state machinery in rescue operations.

In New Delhi, the Chief Minister met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and apprised him of the situation in the state. He also sought Central assistance worth Rs 8,000 crore to effectively conduct relief and rescue operations.

During the 30-minute meeting, the Prime Minister assured Kumar of all possible assistance from the Centre. The PMO would coordinate with the state to extend help.

Kumar also met President Pratibha Patil and Vice-President Hamid Ansari, apart from former President A P J Abdul Kalam. He invited Kalam to join Nalanda University in Bihar as a visitor.

Earlier, expressing concern, Kumar had said the Rs 232 crore announced by the Centre after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit was the state's right.

Kumar also expressed concern over the attack on the migrant population from Bihar in Assam. He said he will take up the matter with the Centre and urge it to ensure their security in Northeast. He directed state Home Commissioner Afzal Amanullah to take up the matter with his counterpart in Assam.