Rescue efforts continue as toll reaches 28

The Army continued its relief and rescue operations in flood-hit regions in Rajasthan, including suburbs of capital Jaipur, as people sighed in relief for the rain-free 24 hours.

Barring a few places like Kota, Baran and Bundi, the state was largely free from heavy rains. The Army was asked to carry out rescue operations in Bundi, which was hit by heavy rain overnight. However, the Army could not begin work until early morning due to flooding and darkness.

“There was heavy rain last night,” Bundi’s District Collector Aandhi said. “(Rescue) Operations could begin only in the morning. There are no casualties and the situation is under control.” The total number of deaths in the state due to the rains has gone up to 28. Seven members of a family were killed and three others injured when a wall at their residence in the Kalmanda village of Baran district collapsed.

In the same district, five houses in rain-affected Unni and Pahari villages collapsed. Nearly 15 people were rescued in Kelwara village.

Though there was no formal announcement from the state government on compensations for those who died in the rain, district collectors are authorised to give Rs 1.5 lakh to the family of the deceased.

Officials said seven people died after heavy rain in Baran, six in Ajmer, four in Jaipur suburbs, three in Kota, two each in Tonk and Dausa, and one each in Bundi, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Sawaimadhopur since June 1.

Areas like Sawaimadhopur and Tonk, already marooned due to rain, are bracing for more floods as officials at the water resources department are preparing to open the gates of Bisalpur dam.

Several villages are in the danger of heavy floods in these districts if the dam is opened.

With a storage capacity of 315 metres, Bisalpur is one of the biggest dams in Rajasthan. “The water level has reached 314.5 metres and there is still continuous inflow from the nearby areas. Two gates of the dam are likely to be opened by late Tuesday evening,” a water resources department official said. The local administration has evacuated villages in the area to save people from getting stranded in the floods.

Meanwhile, capital Jaipur woke up to a sunny day in nearly a week, which became humid in late Tuesday afternoon. The city and its suburbs witnessed 300 mm rains in the last four days.

The state government has asked for a detailed report on the damages caused by heavy rains in all the districts.