The flood situation in West Bengal remained grim on Monday as the barrages in the State and adjoining areas discharged more water. According to the State government officials, among others Damodar Valley Corporation ( DVC) has released over 1 lakh cusecs of water since Sunday midnight.
The death toll due to the floods has increased to 69 while 2.1 lakh people have been sheltered in over 1,500 relief camps in the State. About 37 lakh people in 12 districts of the State have been affected by the floods.
Along with 19 teams of National Disaster Response Force ( NDRF), the Army has been assisting in flood relief and rescue operations. Army personnel have been deployed at Bardhaman district one of the worst affected districts of the State.
At least 47 municipalities, 210 blocks and 9,691 villages of the State have been affected by rising waters. Thousands of acres of standing crops have been destroyed.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited flood affected district of North 24 Parganas, blamed the release of water from barrages for the deterioration of the situation.
“The flood situation has improved in Birbhum and Murshidabad districts, whereas condition in Bardhaman continues to be the same,” Ms. Banerjee told mediapersons before beginning her tour of Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas.
“The flooding in Hooghly and Howrah districts has worsened and will deteriorate a bit further as DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) has released more water,” she said. Ms. Banerjee announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh to the families of those killed in the floods.
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odhisha also affectedPTI reports from New Delhi:In Gujarat, 71 people have lost their lives due to floods in 14 districts where 40 lakh population was affected. More than 10 lakh food packets have been airdropped or distributed to flood victims.
In Rajasthan, 38 deaths have been reported during the past few days owing to heavy rainfall and floods. More than 630 people have been rescued from various districts in Rajasthan. Relief materials have been distributed to the affected population.
In Odisha, 4,80,399 people were affected by the floods which has claimed five lives so far. The Union Home Minister Singh spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and reviewed the flood situation.
