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Rajasthan flood death toll reaches 138

Mohammed Iqbal

Thousands displaced; rescue and relief operations launched on war footing

PHOTO: PTI

IN DEEP WATERS: Villagers salvaging belongings from their flooded homes in Kawas village near Barmer on Monday.

JAIPUR: Rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit Barmer district and elsewhere in Rajasthan have been launched on a war footing, as the death toll across the State went up to 138 on Monday. Water has started receding in most of the areas, though the worst-affected Malwa and Kawas villages in Barmer district are still submerged.

State Relief Secretary R. K. Meena told reporters here that most of the road links, including National Highway No. 15 between Barmer and Jaisalmer, have been restored and relief material is being supplied through roads. Only one helicopter has now been retained for airdropping food packets and relief supplies.

Thousands of people in the desert district of Barmer -- bordering Pakistan and known for its sand dunes -- have been displaced and dozens are still missing. Mr. Meena said a large number of bodies and animal carcasses were fished out of water inundating remote habitations.

In addition to the Navy divers, eight flood relief columns and 12 Engineer Task Forces (ETFs) of the Army were deployed in the seven flood-affected districts in the State. The marine commandos of the Navy recovered 35 bodies in Malwa and 10 in the Baytu area. However, cattle carcasses floating in the floodwaters have raised concern about the spread of diseases.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, presiding over a high-level meeting here on Monday, made allocations to various departments from the Rs. 100 crores sanctioned additionally for flood relief management on Sunday. Mr. Meena said the meeting, attended by several Ministers and Secretaries, decided to give priority to restoration of essential services.

The State Government will shortly submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking immediate release of a special flood relief package. Mr. Meena said the memorandum would make a "realistic assessment'' of the damage caused to infrastructure, public assets and private houses while requesting for Central assistance.

The State Budget allocation for the Disaster Management Department was Rs. 436 crores this year. As the entire money was spent on providing drought relief till June and on flood relief management recently, an additional Rs. 100 crores was sanctioned. Mr. Meena said the funds would be used mainly for restoring emergency services and preventing an epidemic.

Forty teams of doctors and an equal number of veterinarians' teams are working in the flood-affected areas to prevent an outbreak of waterborne diseases. The teams have treated a large number of patients and cleaned water at several places.

A Task Force appointed by the State Government to find ways for draining out water from submerged villages in Barmer returned here on Monday and is likely to make its recommendations in a couple of days. Mr. Meena said the gypsum layer below the sandy surface in the region was preventing floodwaters from seeping into the ground.

Meanwhle, the Thar Express train service between India and Pakistan, running from Munabao in Barmer to Khokhrapar in Sindh, has been suspended for a month following extensive damage caused to the rail track. According to railway sources, nearly 160 Pakistani nationals stranded in Jodhpur with their visas close to expiry have been allowed to return home via Attari in Punjab.

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