JOIN USRajnath promises Central aid to states
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the flood situation in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and assured the states all Central assistance, even as over 2,100 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed for rescue work in the states.
Singh spoke to Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav of UP and Jitan Ram Manjhi of Bihar over telephone and promised them Central assistance.
The home minister also directed the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Disaster Management to closely monitor the flood situation.
“The NEC on Disaster Management is assisting flood-affected states in relief and rescue operations,” said the Home Ministry on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The NEC met under the chairmanship of Sneh Lata Kumar, Secretary (Border Management). Representatives of different agencies attended the meeting.
Heavy monsoon rain has created flood-like situations in low-lying areas of many states in the country.
The NDRF has deployed 53 teams, consisting of 2,158 personnel, to carry out rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas. “NDRF teams are stationed at vulnerable parts, as per the request of state governments.
The teams are equipped with boats, divers and other flood rescue-related equipment,” said a senior official.
A situation report from Bihar said 13 NDRF teams have been engaged for rescue and relief operations in Bihar at Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Nalanda, Supoul, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj and Didarganj.
The NDRF teams are distributing relief materials to people who do not want to be evacuated. The teams have also organised a medical camp to give essential medicines and treatment to flood-affected people.
“Lakhs of people in thousands of villages of several districts, including Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Lakhimpur, Barabanki, Sitapur and Faizabad have been badly affected by the floods so far.
The situation is grim in the Balrampur and Barabanki districts due to incessant rain, and the Rapti, Ghagra, Budhi Rapti and Sharda rivers are flowing above the danger mark,” said an NDRF statement.