Flood situation improves with let up in rains

Kolkata, Jun 24(UNI) The situation in the two flood ravaged West Bengal districts improved today with a let up in the rain and the rivers receding.

" The situation in East and West Midnapore districts has improved.

There has been no rain and all the rivers are now flowing below the danger level," Irrigation Minister Subhash Naskar told reporters.

He said two of the four columns of army jawans, engaged in rescue and relief operations, would be withdrawn while airdropping of food in the flood-hit areas had already stopped following improvement in the situation.

Though there was no fresh reports of death, about three million people still remained affected, the Minister said.

Yesterday, the toll stood at 30.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who reviewed the flood situation, asked the Irrigation Minister to identify the damaged embankments for immediate repair.

UNI KDG KK/src1814