Rain related deaths rise to 33 in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Aug 21 (UNI) At least 33 people have been killed so far in rain related incidents in Rajasthan even as heavy torrential rains continued to disrupt normal life in border areas of Jaisalmer and Barmer.

However, rains relented in Dungarpur and Banswara today giving people the much needed relief from continuous downpour and wet weather over the past few days.

Heavy rains in Jaisalmer have led to breach of embankments of Josira and Ranisar lakes which inundated about 200 houses in low lying surrounding areas.

Water entered the BSNL Exchange, submerging the office and stalling the communication system in the city. The normally dry Jaisalmer is totally submerged under water and it is difficult for the vehicles to ply through the city.

The Gadisar lake is also on the verge of breakage and most other lakes in the area are flowing above the danger level with fears of breach. There's no power for the last two days along with the breakdown of communication and transport system.

With the flooding of the National Highway no 15, the Barmer-Jaisalmer route has been blocked.

According to Barmer correspondent, continuous rains over the past 48 hours have broken the record of the past 16 years and nine people have died in different incidents.

One woman died in Singidia village due to lightening while two other women were admitted to Balotra hospital.

One seven-year-old child died after falling into an overflowing canal while another person died after his gypsy fell into a overflowing river in Sindhari.

Reports from Jodhpur say Pali is under water and 10 bodies have been recovered so far. One jawan along with some other people are missing. Two bodies have been recovered from Sirohi and Jalor district each.

According to roadways and railway officials, the transport is still not normal in flood-affected areas. The railway traffic has been affected on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer and Barmer-Jodhpur routes.

Five gates of Jawai dam, the main source of water in Pali, has been opened considering the inflow of water. Around 7,000 cusecs of water is being discharged through the gates.

Five bodies were recovered from near Falna in Khari river. Two bodies of school children were recovered from near Virampura village in Nana river.

Dungarpur and Banswara districts had some respite from the rains.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje toured the districts today to review the overall flood situation. However, most lakes and ponds, rivers in the area are overflowing and many roads are still blocked.

Kota correspondent reports that two people were swept away in the Chambal river due to discharge of water from Kota barrage. Three other people who were out fishing were, however, saved by the villagers.

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