Flood death toll reaches 273

Mumbai, Aug 12 (UNI) The death toll due to the floods, affecting 28 districts of the state, has reached 273 with 30 perople are still missing.

According to official sources, 223 talukas of 28 districts out of 35 in the state are flood-affected. There are a total of 8,037 villages, which are affected due to the floods.

In all, 8.48 lakh people were affected due to the floods and over 4.33 lakh have been evacuated to safer places.

Sources said 250 people have been evacuated to safer places, with the help of eight helicopters.

As the rainfall recedes, the relief work has started rapidly on various parts. The administration has set up about 1,068 relief centres all over the state and distributed 19 lakh kg of foodgrains, 3.96 lakh litre kerosene and financial assistance of Rs 7.76 crore.

Sources said though the rivers Purna, Krishna, Panchganga and Bhima are flowing above the danger mark, there was no reason to panic as the people living in the low-lying areas have been moved to safer places. The water discharged from Ujani dam was 1.70 lakh cuses, while from Jaikwadi (1.61 lakh cusecs) and Koyana (50,000 cusecs) were discharged.

Meanwhile, according to weather predictions, the Konkan region and Goa are likely to experience very to very heay rainfall in the next 48 hours.

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