Bhopal, Sept 11: The situation in flood ravaged eastern Madhya Pradesh showed signs of improvement today with water level in swollen rivers receding and respite from rains which claimed at least three dozen lives so far while relief operations by army jawans gathered momentum. Chief Minister Digvijay Singh undertook an aerial survey over the worst affected Rewa and Satna districts where army worked round-the-clock in relief and rescue operations shifting over 5,000 marooned villagers to safety and helicopters dropped food packets.

Over 60,000 people in about 5,000 submerged villages of Mahakaushal, Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions were hit by the devastating floods caused by heavy downpour which swept away thousands livestocks and flattened standing kharif crops besides disrupting vital communication links. Though death toll due to rains and floods remained 35, more bodies, feared to have been swept away by strong water currents, could be retrieved after water recedes.

In Rewa, where the chief minister reviewed the situation in several villages and held meetings with officials, state assembly speaker Srinivas Tiwari sought Rs 100 crore assistance for relief and rehabilitation work in the district.

Similarly, state finance minister wanted Rs 50 crore relief assistance for Satna. Food packets and other essential commodities were dropped at Baswar village where more than 300 people are trapped.

Teams of doctors were deputed to the affected areas with medicines and equipment for taking precautionary measures to prevent possible outbreak of epidemic.

Bureau Report