The Hindu : Other States / Madhya Pradesh News : Flood toll increases to 42

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Friday, Jul 08, 2005

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Flood toll increases to 42

Staff Correspondent

24 die in flash floods; hundreds stranded

BHOPAL: The death toll due to floods across several districts in Madhya Pradesh has gone up to 42 with the maximum casualties being reported from Sagar district where 24 persons have been killed in flash floods caused by excessive rain over the last few days.

The Madhya Pradesh Relief Commissioner, Iqbal Ahmad, told The Hindu on Thursday that barring Panna, the situation had improved in most other flood-affected districts. A large number of people were still stranded in Panna even though 600 persons were rescued on Wednesday. Those stranded were trapped on trees or roof-tops in their marooned villages, Mr. Ahmad said. Rescue and relief operations were being carried out in Panna, Damoh and Chhattarpur with the help of 3 Air Force helicopters stationed at Khajuraho.

Some improvement

In Damoh also the flood situation has marginally improved in the past 24 hours, he said adding that it would take a few more days to assess the actual damage to crops and property.

He said the immediate priority of the State Government is to provide relief to the people.

Seventeen tonnes of food material was air-dropped on Wednesday.

The Narmada, he said, was flowing at 291.30 meters, just two meters below the danger level at 293.83. The river could cross the danger mark at Hoshangabad only if more water is released from the Bargi dam near Jabalpur. Regarding the Indira Sagar dam, Mr. Ahmad said on Thursday afternoon the reservoir level stood at 246.22 meters as against the full reservoir level of 262.13 meters.

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Flood toll increases to 42