Patna, Aug 19 - An 11-member central team, that is on a three-day visit to the drought-hit districts of Bihar starting Wednesday, will assess the drought situation in the state and meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Friday. Last week, 26 of the state's 38 districts were declared drought-hit.

'The team led by R.K. Tiwari, joint secretary to the union agriculture ministry, is on a three-day visit to assess drought situation in the state,' state Disaster Management Principal Secretary Vyasji said.

He said the central team would hold a high-level discussions with senior state officials after returning to Patna and also meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Aug 21. The team would submit its report to the central government after the visit.

The central team has been divided into three groups and allotted separate districts for assessing the situation.