130 people dead in Rajasthan floods, Govt extends help

New Delhi, Aug 28: The Centre has extended all possible assistance to Rajasthan where as many as 130 people have died in the recent floods of which 103 were in Barmer district.

Three naval teams have been sent to the state along with two Indian Air Force helicopters. The state government has returned one IAF helicopter and hired a private helicopter for the flood relief work, Home Ministry spokesman told reporters today.

One Engineering Task Force has been stationed in the state.

Meanwhile, the ministry denied reports of any BSF Border Out Post being damaged or abandoned due to floods. BOPs of BSF are fully manned and no damage to them have taken place due to floods, he said.

The state has been affected by flash floods following recent heavy rains as the rate of the seepage of water was very slow due to presence of hard rock structure beneath the sand. The damage was more as habitations were mostly at low lying area.

Meanwhile, the Centre has sent 20 companies of CRPF and RAF to Maharashtra to provide security during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the state. These para-military forces would remain available with the state till September 6 when the Ganesh Idols will be immersed, he said.

All neceassary precautions are being taken to prevent any possible terror attacks during the festival.

UNI