Death toll in man-made floods goes up to 39

The death toll in the flood incident in the state has gone up to 39 on Monday with 27 lakh people being affected by the disaster which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed to be a man-made incident.

According to sources, among the deceased, 19 persons were swept away in the current, while three were killed after getting electrocuted. Five persons were killed when walls fell on them in separate accidents, while five others by after being struck by lightning. Among the rest, five were killed in snake bites and two in boat capsizes.

Sources said that around 106 blocks in the state are still under water and altogether 14 districts have been affected in the flood. Around 131 medical teams have been working in the affected areas. Around 311 relief camps have been thrown open where nearly 48,000 people have taken refuge. Apart from this, 215 animal camps have been made operational where 16,000 cattle have been kept. Around 3,96,000 hectare land area has been affected by the flood.

According to Nabanna sources, the state government will distribute seeds among the land owners free of cost. The state government will carry out the repair works of the river embankments that have been destroyed by the floods.

Medical kits will also be distributed among the villagers in all affected districts. The government will also repair the houses that were damaged by the flood. Keeping in view that there may a possibility of drinking water being contaminated in the flood-affected areas, the state government will also supply drinking water to flood-affected victims. Around two lakh volunteers have been working in the flood-affected districts.

The flood situation in different parts of the state is now gradually improving but the situation at Tinghra, Nasibpur, Palashpai, Mostafapur, Hayatpur under Khanakul block II continues to be grim as the water level is not receding in these areas. Locals have alleged that relief materials were not properly sent the area. They also alleged that there were not enough boats which could bring the relief materials to the villagers. As a result of this, villagers had faced great difficulties. Many people were staying on the roof tops of buildings. The situation at Arambag, Parsura areas in Hooghly is gradually improving.