Toll in Bengal flood rises to 30

Kolkata, Jun 23 (UNI) The death toll in the current flood in two West Bengal districts rose to 30 today as the situation remained grave even though there was a let up in rain and the Army continued with rescue operations.

Relief Minister Mortaza Hossain told newspersons that the situation in several blocks of East and West Midnapore continued to be critical as a total of three million people remained affected by the flood.

He said altogether 3.72 lakh others had been sheltered in 1,497 relief camps, while Army jawans and civil defence personnels were continuing relief and rescue operation.

Food packets were dropped from Indian Airforce helicopters in the affected areas, he said.

The Minister said altogether 245 teams of doctors were providing medical support in the flood-hit areas of the two districrs.

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