Shekhawat discusses measures for flood-hit areas in Rajasthan

New Delhi, Sep 2 (UNI) Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today expressed deep concern over the flood situation in Barmer and other districts of Rajasthan and called upon the Centre to rush adequate help to the state in "this hour of natural calamity." Mr Shekhawat after holding discussions with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who had recently visited the affected areas, said the State Government had already submitted a memorandum to the Union Government. The central team should be sent at the earliest to assess the damage and assistance to be given immediately.

Mr Mukherjee, official sources said, had assured the Vice-President that the Centre would be assisting help to the state after assessing the situation. He also apprised him of the measures being taken by the Centre to compensate the extensive loss of life and property created by floods in the border districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer and other areas of Rajasthan.

The Vice-President pointed out that many border roads having security importance had been damaged in the floods. Even Barmer's Uttarlal Airport had also got spoilt. He said the repair of these roads needed to be undertaken on the priority basis by the Defence Minister.

Mr Shekhawat who had been a former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and had been the longest serving legislative assembly member till the assumed the Vice Presidentship, said that due to the sub-soil strata of gympsum and bentonite, water deposits in flood affected villages would not percolate down easily. Only experts can guide whether water can be seeped into the ground through borewells or can be taken out through creating small drains. If the deport of flood water is not drained out immediately, several problems might emerge, he pointed out.

There was a constant fear that several water borne communicable diseases could breakout in the absence of immediate measures. he said.

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