MHA monitors flood situation in various parts of the country

IMPHAL, Augst 3: The Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh spoke to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel and the Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh and enquired about the rescue and relief operations going on in the wake of floods and landslides respectively. He assured of full Central support to overcome the disaster situation, informed a PIB press release.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is regularly monitoring the flood situation in various parts of the country and extending necessary assistance in this regard, it said.

In Gujarat, 14 Districts and population of about 40 lakhs have been affected in recent floods due to heavy rainfall in the last few days. More than ten lakhs food packets have been airdropped/ distributed to the flood victims. Temporary relief camps have been set up in affected areas and peoples 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, it continued.

The statement added the Minister of State for Home Affairs, ShriHaribhaiParathibhaiChaudhary has visited the state for two days to assess the situation and oversee the rescue and relief operations.

In Rajasthan, so far 28 deaths have been reported, out of which 12 people lost their lives during past few days owing to very heavy rainfall and flood like situation in many parts of the state. Rajasthan has experienced excessive rainfall in most of its districts. Some of the districts are facing flood situation due to extremely heavy rainfall. The situation is grim particularly in districts of Jalore, Jhalawar, Baran, Sirohi, Barmer and Dungarpur, accordingto the statement.

It added, apart from State Disaster Response Force, Police, RAC etc., at present 08 teams of NDRF are deployed for rescue and relief operations. So far more than 630 peoples have been rescued from various districts in Rajasthan. Relief materials have been distributed to the affected population.

Further according to the statement, in West Bengal, 48 deaths have been reported from various parts of the state during the floods owing to lightening, wall collapse, electrocution, snake bite and drowning. As reported by State government due to cyclone KOMEN, heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in almost all South West Bengal districts. So far 12 districts consisting of 210 blocks and 9691 villages have been affected due to floods. A population of 36,90,627 are affected. State Govt has deployed 121 boats for rescue and relief operations. A total of 5672 cattle is also lost in the floods. Due to floods, State Govt. has established 1537 relief camps and 214306 peoples have been accommodated. 204 medical teams have also been deployed. So far 402600 water pouches have also been distributed.

The PIB statement also said that in Odisha, 07 districts of Odisha namely Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jharsuguda and Deogarh are affected. A total of 05 people lost their lives and 644 villages and population `“ 480399 are affected. ODRAF units are carrying out relief and rescue operations. So far 1574 peoples have been evacuated to safer places. 7 relief camps have been opened and 55 peoples have been accommodated. 132 boats have been deployed for rescue operations.

In Manipur, about 20 villagers of Joumol Village in District Chandel have been swept away by landslide on 01/08/2015 at about 0630 hours including 12 houses. This village is located about 96 KMs from Tengnoupal HQ of which 83 Kms track/road is motorable. Rescue operations are going on. Reportedly one villager has been rescued, it said.

Two teams of NDRF have been earmarked for rescue and relief operations in Village Joumol. Of these one team comprising of 22 rescuers have been airlifted in the morning while the other team is likely to reach by late evening, it added.