'We pray for Kerala brothers & sisters'

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed serious concern over the flood victims in Kerala and expressed her condolence for the families of those who lost their lives in the destruction triggered by torrential rains in the state. "Words alone are not enough. Yet I must tell all my brothers and sisters of Kerala that our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. Condolences to those families who have lost their loved ones. Strength to those who are fighting the Kerala floods," she wrote on Twitter.

People from Bengal too are in Kerala. So far, the Bengal government has come to know about the presence of about 200 people from here in Kerala and the number is expected to go up further. A senior official of the state government said that the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department is closely monitoring the situation and is also in constant touch with the Kerala government.

A list containing the names, contact numbers and locations of about 200 people has been sent to the concerned official of the Kerala government. Out of 200, more than 100 are from Domkal areas of Murshidabad itself. The people from the area had gone to Kerala's Ernakulam district for work.

"Another list is being prepared to get an exact count on the number of people from the state who are in Kerala at present," said a DMCD Department official. The family members of two persons — Abhijit Mondal and Kalyan Mondal — from Chatna, Bankura, could not contact them and are extremely worried. The state government has taken necessary steps in this connection.