As many as 700 people have been killed and 15 million marooned in the devastating floods in West Bengal, with the army working for the seventh day on Sunday to provide succour to those affected. While 120 deaths were reported from Murshidabad district, the toll was 52 in Birbhum, 25 people died in Bardhaman, 17 in Nadia, 10 in Midnapore, 9 in Hooghly, 4 in Bankura, 2 in north Dinajpur and one in Howrah, official sources said. Army jawans were finding it difficult to enter the remote areas in Kandi district because of strong currents, the sources added.
The discharge from both the DVC and Massanjore dams have been further reduced. One million people have been rescued so far, out of the 15 million affected in 118 blocks and 30 municipalities of the seven flooded districts.
About 700 army men had been deployed to carry out rescue operations, and four IAF helicopters air-dropped food packets. The state government has despatched six launches with food, medicines and doctors since the areas are inaccessible by road and rail.
Bureau Report