Heavy Rain, Floods Kill Over 50 in Bengal

More than 10 lakh food packets have been airdropped or distributed to the flood victims, an official statement said here today. 32 people have died in worst affected Banaskantha district alone.

The State Government has opened seven relief camps while 132 boats have been deployed for the rescue operations.

While two casualties have been reported from Balasore district, one death each has been reported from Mayurbhaj, Jajpur and Keonjhar.

In West Bengal, at least 48 people have died so far.

Flash flood due to heavy rains in various parts of West Bengal has disrupted normal life in the state. According to state secretariat officials, Singh during his conversation with the chief minister discussed the situation in all affected districts.

A total of 17 National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in Gujarat.

Of the many stories of bravery that have come out, the act of Havaldar Yousouf stands out as he rescued a drowning mother and her baby in Shervo village, situated approximately 50 kms north of Bhuj in Kutch district of Gujarat.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday evening spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over phone and enquired about the flood situation in the state. I am sure that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide all possible help to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured. A total of 5,672 cattle have also been lost in the floods. This may lead to increased inflow of water into Hirakud.

In Manipur, about 20 villagers of Joumol village in Chandel district were swept away in Saturday’s landslide. A total of 05 people lost their lives and 644 villages and population – 480399 are affected. Burdwan District Magistrate has said to HT that 150 villagers were still stuck and army was rescuing them. Centre directed NDRF to move forces to Manipur for rescue and relief operations in the landslide-affected areas.

Cyclone Komen from the Bay of Bengal has brought heavy rains to West Bengal and Odisha, submerging hundreds of villages and making tens of thousands homeless.

Rescue operations have been carried out by Indian Army personnel at Jhawdanga village in Burdwan district from their base camp at Panagarh.

So far 1574 people have been evacuated to safer places.