Thousands evacuated as MP rivers swell

BHOPAL, Sept 21 (UNI) — Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places so far even as flood situation continued to remain serious in eight districts of Madhya Pradesh.

As rivers, including Narmada, and rivulets are in spate, several villages on the banks of these rivers were submerged. Many parts of Hoshangabad, Raisen, Sehore, Narsinghpur, Vidisha, Harda, Dewas and Mandla districts, were also facing the flood fury.

Hoshangabad, Sehore and Raisen are the worst affected districts where the district administrations, with the help of the Army, are engaged in massive rescue and relief operations. More than 30 per cent of Hoshangabad town has been inundated following rise in Narmada water level.

According to flood control room, over 10,000 persons have been shifted to relief camps in the affected districts till last night and rescue and relief operations were continuing round-the -clock. In Hoshangabad, Army helicopters and motorboats are being used to rescue the people of the marooned villages.

Water level in Narmada is expected to rise further during the day following release of 58,000 cusec water from Bargi Dam, 39,000 cusec from Tawa and 35,000 cusec water from Barna dams this morning.

Water level in Narmada at Hoshangabad was 978.30 feet, which was 14.40 feet above the danger mark, at 9 a.m.

Rain occurred at Hoshangabad today but there was no rainfall in Sehore and Raisen districts. Road link from Bhopal to Hoshangabad remained cut off because of floods.

Official sources said here that a team of doctors was attending upon those staying in the relief camps and all necessary steps were being taken to prevent the outbreak of any disease in the affected areas. Besides, a team of veterinary doctors had also been pressed into service to check the spread of cattle diseases.

Food packets and drinking water pouches are being airdropped in the flood-hit areas while the administration, with the help of voluntary organisations, has made arrangements for the supply of food, clothes and medicines in the relief camps.

Meanwhile, the state government had sought Rs 75 crore central assistance for providing immediate relief in Hoshangabad, Sehore and Raisen districts.

A PTI report from Varanasi adds: Low-lying areas, including Dashaswamedh, Nagaw, Assi and Tulsi Ghat, of this holy city were flooded as river Ganga touched its danger mark on Tuesday officials sources said here.

The Ganga had already crossed danger marks in neighbouring Ghazipur and Ballia districts. The river was maintaining rising trend all along its course from Phaphamu in Allahabad district to Ballia, the sources said.

The officials of the Irrigation Department and the Central Water Commission were keeping a close watch on the flood situation, they added.