Chhattisgarh seeks Centre's help to meet flood situation

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Aug 4 (UNI) With incessant rains disrupting normal life in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, the state government today sought the Centre's assistance for relief operations as several villages in Dantewada district remained marooned with almost all rivers and rivulets in spate.

Two IAF helicopters, despatched from Gorakhpur, could not land here due to bad weather, which also hampered rescue operations.

Heavy rains continued for the fourth day with 21 cm rainfall in last 24 hours, official sources said.

Chief Minister Raman Singh today contacted Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil seeking the Centre's help and Mr Patil assured to provide all possible help, the sources added.

Several villages remained marooned with Indrawati, Shabari, Godawari and other rivers and rivulets flowing above danger mark.

Boats from Andhra Pradesh had been requisitioned in view of the grim situation in Konta and other towns located on the southern tip of the state.

Police personnel moved to hillocks as flood water entered at least two police stations at Errabore and Injaram. Few thousand villagers took shelter on hillocks or in government buildings. The state government helicopter was deployed for dropping food packets to the marooned people.

Road and rail traffic in Dantewada, the worst affected district due to naxalite activities, remained crippled as roads and rail tracks remained submerged. Rail traffic on Bailadila-Vishakhapatanam route remained suspended for the fourth day due to landslide and flooding of tracks.

Flash floods due to release of water from dams in the upstream also caused heavy damage. There were, however, no reports of any casualty, the sources said.

Many people residing on the bank of Indrawati river here had been shifted to safer places as the river was flowing above danger mark.

Dantewada Collector K R Pisda said the situation was alarming as rains continued and all rivers were in spate. The exact number of those in distress could not be ascertained as many areas remained inaccessible.

UNI TEAM-SP VA KN1830