Monsoon rains flood six states, claim 537 lives

NEW DELHI: As many as 537 people have lost their lives in floods and rains in six states during the monsoon season so far. According to the Home Ministry’s National Emergency Response Centre (NERC), 139 people have died in Maharashtra, 126 in Kerala, 116 in West Bengal, 52 in Gujarat and 34 in Assam due to the floods and rains.

The deluge and rains have hit 26 districts in Maharashtra, 22 in West Bengal, 21 in Assam, 14 in Kerala, 10 in Gujarat and a large part of Uttar Pradesh so far. In Assam, 10.17 lakh people have borne the brunt of rains and floods, of which 2.17 lakh are living in relief camps.

Twelve teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in rescue and relief operations in Assam, the National Emergency Response Centre said. A team of the National Disaster Response Force comprises 45 personnel.

A total of 1.61 lakh people have been affected by rains and floods in West Bengal where eight National Disaster Response Force teams are deployed. Four people are missing and 19 others injured following heavy rains in West Bengal.

In Gujarat, 15,912 people have been evacuated to safer locations after being hit by floods and rains. Seven National Disaster Response Force teams are positioned in the state. In Kerala, the flood has impacted 1.49 lakh people. The state has registered 126 deaths due to heavy rains, while nine people are missing.

Four National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in the southern state, while three are stationed in Maharashtra, which has been battered by heavy rains. Altogether 117 people have been injured in Maharashtra following heavy rains. Seven National Disaster Response Force teams are deployed in Uttar Pradesh.