68 die in Bengal flood

Kolkata, Sep 27 (UNI) The flood situation in West Bengal today remained grim with the toll shooting up to 68 as fresh areas of Nadia district were inundated following a breach in a river dam.

Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said altogether seven million people in 16 districts were reeling under the devastating flood water, while more than 1.41 lakh homeless people had been sheltered in relief camps.

Altogether 2.56 lakh houses were damaged in the flood, triggered by incessant rain for more than a week and discharge of water from barrages.

Relief was continuing on war footing even as lakhs of people still remained marooned.

The Minister said the situation in Nadia district turned grave as the dam on the Mayurakshi breached at Jagatsinghapur inundating vast areas last night.

The State Government, which reviewed the situation at a meeting, sanctioned altogether Rs 55 crore for relief of the affected people.

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