Floods Wreak Havoc; Rajnath Promises Aid

NEW DELHI: As floods continued to wreak havoc in Gujarat and Manipur, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday spoke to chief ministers of Gujarat and Manipur assuring them of all help. The floods have particularly affected five states, including Odisha, West Bengal and Rajasthan, where the Centre has rushed its rescue teams apart from sending relief material, the government said.

In Gujarat, 14 districts and a population of about 40 lakh have been affected in recent floods due to heavy rainfall in the last few days. 

“More than 10lakh food packets have been airdropped and distributed to the flood victims. Temporary relief camps have been set up in affected areas and people are accommodated on need basis. A total of 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in Gujarat,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The government said that in Rajasthan, so far 28 deaths had been reported, out of which 12 people lost their lives during the past few days owing to very heavy rainfall.  The situation is grim particularly in districts of Jalore, Jhalawar, Baran, Sirohi, Barmer and Dungarpur.  

“Apart from State Disaster Response Force, Police, RAC and at present eight teams of NDRF are deployed for rescue and relief operations. So far, more than 630 people have been rescued from various districts in Rajasthan. Relief materials have been distributed to the affected population,” the MHA said in a statement.

In West Bengal, 48 deaths have been reported from various parts of the state during the floods owing to lightning, wall collapse, electrocution, snake bite and drowning. So far, 12 districts consisting of 210 blocks and 9,691 villages have been affected due to floods. A population of 36 lakh has been affected.

“The State Government has deployed 121 boats for rescue and relief operations, established 1,537 relief camps and 2,14,306 people have been accommodated. Over two hundred medical teams have also been deployed. So far 4,02,600 water pouches have also been distributed,” a statement said.

In Odisha, seven districts namely Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jharsuguda and Deogarh are affected. A total of five persons lost their lives and 644 villages and population - 4,80,399 are affected.

“ODRAF units are carrying out relief and rescue operations. So far, 1,574 people have been evacuated to safer places. Seven relief camps have been opened and 55 people accommodated. 132 boats have been deployed for rescue operations,” the MHA said.