Twenty five people washed away in flood waters in Jhalawar

Jaipur, July 7 (UNI) About 25 people were washed away in the gushing waters of the Alniya river in Jhalawar district this evening.

According to the Flood Control Department, the people were crossing a bridge on the Chhapi Dam on a motorised cart when it overturned and got washed away in the flood waters. The District Collector and the SP rushed to the spot and a search was launched to rescue them.

According to Disaster and Relief Secretary CK Mathew, five people have been rescued so far while search is on for the remaining.

Meanwhile, the Jaswant Sagar dam in Bilada tehsil in Jodhpur division developed 40- feet deep breaches at two places today, resulting in the evacuation of one lakh villagers from 80 surrounding villages.

The relief work is being done on a war-footing following let up in rainfall in the area. Three Airforce helicopters are on stand by and the army has been put on alert. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today undertook an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Jodhpur division.

On the other hand, monsoon has become active with warnings of heavy downpour in Kota and Udaipur divisions. Meanwhile, seven people have died in rain-related incidents.

At a flood-relief meeting held here today, Chief Secretary D C Samant took stock of the situation and directed that marooned people be transported to safer places. He also directed officials to ensure that drinking water and food packets be supplied to the affected people.

According to the Irrigation Department, out of 227 dams in the state, 30 of them with capacity ranging from 150 to 4,000 mcft are overflowing at the moment.

Two gates of Kota barrage have been opened and 9,500 cusecs water is being released from it. At least 9,000 cusecs water is flowing out of the Rana Pratap Sagar dam in Rawatbhata in Chittorgarh district and the water level has gone up to 1153 feet.

According to the Weather Department, Mansarover in Sawai Madhopur district received 100 mm rains, Chauth ka Barwara 81, Bhadoli 87 and, Sawai Madhopur 67 mm in the last 24 hours.

In Baran district, Atru measured 95, Baran 57, in Ajmer district Govindgarh 75, in Jhalawar's Dug 59. In Udaipur, Jaisamand received 68, mm, Salumbar 45. Pratapgarh and Arnod received 48 mm, each, Choti Sadri 45 in Udaipur. Niwai 44, Bundi 69, Kota 30 and several other places recorded 20 to 25 mm rains.

The state capital measured 26.4 mm rain in the past 24 hours.

UNI