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Flood situation grim despite waters receding; toll 149

The situation in flood-ravaged Malda and Murshidabad districts continued to be grim, despite marginal improvements in most north Bengal districts, where the major rivers began receding.

Official sources said here that during the past 24 hours the North Bengal districts had a respite from the incessant rains, which had made the situation more critical.

West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta told reporters in Calcutta that the toll in the current floods has risen to 149, with 13 more deaths reported during the past 24 hours.

''More than five million people have been affected, he said, adding that many people had died of gastroenteritis.

Dr Dasgupta said the Ganga had slightly receded at Manikchak in Malda, but remained unchanged at Farakka in Murshidabad district. Except the Mahananda, all other rivers in North Bengal had started receding slowly.

''It won't be possible to drain out the flood waters from Malda unless the Ganga start receding. Anyway, we are installing heavy-duty pumps to drain out the flood waters in the next two three days,'' he said.

Dr Dasgupta, who reviewed the flood situation with his cabinet colleagues, said the state government had sought the help of the Assam Rifles in case the situation deteriorates further. He said 12 MW of power could be supplied to Malda during the day. Efforts were also on to supply three MW from Farakka.

The minister said inability to drop relief materials because of the fury of flood and lack of co-ordination among different agencies had made the distribution of relief materials very difficult.

Efforts were now on to ensure proper co-ordination among different agencies, he said and added that air force could drop relief materials at Raiganj in north Dinajpur districts.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister George Fernandes, who made an aerial survey of five flood-hit districts, said the Centre would extend all possible help to the affected people.

Fernandes, who was accompanied by Trinamool Congress MP Mamata Banerjee, said he would submit a report to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the flood situation, with recommendations on solutions.

The Union minister made it clear that it was under the directive of the prime minister that he had visited the Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, south Dinajpur, Malda and Murshidabad districts.

Fernandes refused to respond, though, to West Bengal government's allegation that the Centre was not coming forward with any help for relief and restoration. ''We are prepared to give whatever help is needed,'' he said.

UNI

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