13 more bodies recovered from flood-hit Barmer, flood toll 48

Jaipur, Aug 24 (UNI) The death toll in flood-affected Barmer district has reached 24 with the rescue workers fishing out 13 more bodies today.

Secretary Relief and disaster managment R K Meena said ten bodies have been recoverd from worst affected Badka village and 3 more bodies from Kawas village today by the army.

According to offcial figures, the death toll due to flood has risen to 48 while unofficial figures gave a much higher number of casualty.

According to Barmer Deputy Collector, Ghanshyam Dadich, 2,850 people have been evacuated in Barmer district and shifted to safer places over the past three days. He, however, could not give the figures of bodies and the number of people missing.

The district administration has requested the services of divers from Jodhpur to fish out bodies in Maluva village in Barmer, which is still under water.

Mr Dadich said the divers from Jodhpur have reached the village and started the search operations.

The Army is using boats and helicopters to ferry people to safer places.

Mr Dadich said Maluwa, Bhadka and Kawas villages are still submerged under water.

Relief Minister Kirorilal Meena today conducted an aerial survey of Barmer district and asked the district administration to conduct a survey of the missing people.

Reports from Jaisalmer say the Army has recoverd four bodies from Tejmaltha village. Jaislamer SP Navjyothi Gogoi said rescue operations were going in full swing.

UNI PJJ MIR RN2000