Now, Maharashtra battles flood, thousands evacuated

{image-Maharashtra flood_21092008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Nashik, Sep 21: Maharashtra is battling floods caused by overflowing rivers. Nashik is the worst affected. Thousands of people evacuated and have been affected due to floods in Nashik city and district.

'As many as 25,000 people have been affected due to the floods and eight (city - 5 and rural areas - 3) people have died in this flood. There are also reports of damage of property. Nearly 500 houses have been damaged in the floods. Eighteen teams of officials are taking the reports of losses in the district. Thirty per cent of the work has been completed and the rest will be completed by Sunday, Sep 21. According to the preliminary report, losses worth Rs 3.25 crore have been incurred due to the floods,' District Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said here on Saturday, Sep 20, while addressing a news conference after visiting the flood-hit areas of the city and district.

He visited Asaram Bapu Ashram, Saraf Bazaar, Ramkund areas in the city and Chandori, Saikheda villages. Thirteen relief camps (7 in Nashik city and 6 in Niphad) have been established to help people. From the government quota 480 kg food grains and 13,500 litre kerosene has been allotted for distribution among the flood-affected people. The district administration also distributed 500 food packets in Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) area.

Maharashtra State Electricity Board has been instructed to restore electric supply in affected areas as early as possible. Work to help the affected will continue till mid night.

Efforts will be made to accommodate most of the flood-affected people in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission housing schemes.

For traders who have lost their businesses and goods, the district administration will help them in clearing their insurance claims as early as possible.

''We have also instructed banks to issue new loans to them though some may have not repaid earlier loans,'' Mr Bhujbal added.

He said various unauthorised constructions alongside the river are responsible for the disaster.

He said instructions have been given to the Mayor and the NMC Commissioner to take action against such constructions.

Meanwhile, flood waters receded considerably in Chandori, Saikheda villages. As a result, the Nashik-Aurangabad highway was opened for vehicular traffic. The landslide debris in the Kasara Ghat region was removed and traffic on the Mumbai-Agra Highway was restored. The district has received 105.7 per cent rainfall till Saturday, Sep 20.

UNI