West Bengal flood: 7 more deaths, toll climbs to 46, over 27 lakh affected

The death toll in West Bengal floods rose to 46 on Tuesday.

Kolkata, August 2: Every day, the number of deaths reported from flood-hit West Bengal is increasing. On Tuesday, the death toll in the state flood rose to 46.

According to reports, seven more people were killed due to floods in the last 48 hours. Fortunately, due to drop in the incessant rainfall, the water level in most of the rivers of the state has receded bringing hope to the flood-affected people.

"As it is raining less and the dams are also controlling the release of water, the situation in the affected districts is improving every day," a senior official of the State Disaster Management department told reporters in Kolkata.

As per official figures, around 27 lakh people in 106 blocks of 14 districts of West Bengal were hit by the flood. The state government is currently running around 311 relief camps to give shelter to the affected people.

Dhaniakhali of Hooghly district and Ghatal in West Midnapore district are the two worst affected areas due to floods, the official informed.

"Situation at these two places is not that good. Water is receding at a very slow pace. Administration is keeping an eye on the situation and our volunteers are working day in and day out," he said.

Meanwhile, around 59,398 hectares of paddy seedbed has been damaged out of the 3,17,675 hectares of cultivated land.

According to an official at the agriculture department, out of 10,82,285 hectares of paddy seedbeds, 1,79,321 hectares were damaged.

"We have nearly 11,340 MT of paddy seeds stored which we will start distributing to the farmers from August 15," he said.

OneIndia News