No let-up in Bengal, toll touches 150

No let-up in Bengal, toll touches 150
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

CALCUTTA, SEPT 23: The situation in West Bengal deteriorated further today as water was released by Bihar's Damodar Valley Corporation, also hit by flood, yesterday evening and this morning. Large areas of Murshidabad continued to remain inaccessible, and the official death toll rose to 148. Unofficial sources, however, put the toll at nearly 200.

Deputy Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya and Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta indicated today that the figures are likely to rise as many people remain missing. According to Dasgupta, over 1.46 crore people have been left homeless in seven districts.

However, he told reporters that with the rains tapering off and the discharge of water from Messanzo and Tilpara dams lessening, the situation in Birbhum, Burdwan, Hooghly and Howrah had improved. But Nadia and Murshidabad still remained waterlogged. No news of fresh areas coming under flood waters has been received.

Notwithstanding more food and medicine-dropping sorties by helicopters, unofficial reports said many haven't got any relief. The state government itself admitted that the 10.82 lakh people housed in makeshift camps may not have access to safe drinking water.

The government today pressed about 800 country-boats into service to help the 36 Army boats in relief and rescue operations. It also announced Rs 20,000 for next of kin of those who have died in the flood.

Agencies add that in Bihar too, the toll in the current spell of rain is rising, with the nine deaths reported from Munger and Shekhpura today taking the total to 89. Swollen rivers continue to engulf fresh areas following torrential rains in their catchment areas. Nearly four million people have been hit by the floods in 21 districts of the state and standing crops and houses worth over Rs 50 crore have so far been damaged, sources said.