With flood water entering their offices and residential premises, the district magistrate, superintendent of police, district judge and other senior government functionaries of Darbhanga district have taken shelter with their families in a two-storeyed government building, official sources said on Wednesday.

District Magistrate Pradeep Kumar and Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar have taken shelter with their families in the two-storeyed building of the Darbhanga Commissioner. One boat was made available for them to venture out in an emergency situation.

With telephone connections snapped due to floods, the civil and police administration are facing a tough time handling one of the worst deluges in the area.

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Gangs of anti-socials have so far looted foodgrains, oil and other items valued around Rs 80 lakh after breaking shutters of shops in Bazaar Samiti, according to the district president of the Chamber of Commerce Pawan Sureka.

A delegation of businessmen on Wednesday met the DM and sought protection from the looters.

Meanwhile, the ground floor of the Darbhanga Jail has been submerged and nearly 600 inmates lodged there have been shifted to the first floor as a precautionary measure, jail sources said.