Flood situation improves; toll rises to 27

Kolkata, Jun 21 (UNI) The toll in the current flood in West Bengal's East and West Midnapore districts rose to 27 and 2.7 million people remained affected even as the situation improved slightly today.

Relief Minister Murtaza Hossain told mediapersons that the water level in most rivers was receding in the two districts and the Met office predicted scanty rainfall in the next few days.

'' It is reassuring that the water level in most rivers is receding. The Met office predicts scanty rainfall and only if it rains heavily then will there be increase in water level,'' he said after reviewing the siutation at a high-level meeting.

Mr Hossain said while the toll stood at 27, around 2.7 million people in 7,810 villages had been affected and altogether 400,000 people were sheltered in 1,136 relief camps.

He said four companies of the army were still continuing relief and rescue operations and altogether 221 medical teams were working in the affected areas. The government had so far sent halogen tablets, ORS, anti-venom serum vials and water pouches, he added.

UNI KDG KK SW RK1740