With improvement in weather and reduction in water discharge from dams and barrages the flood situation in West Bengal improved marginally on Monday even as the death toll mounted to 497.
Official sources put the toll 373. But figures available from various government departments, including the relief department, put the toll at 497. Murshidabad accounted for the highest number of 275 deaths followed by Birbhum with 147 deaths. Besides, 26 deaths were reported from Bardhaman, followed by 18 from Nadia, 10 from Midnapore, nine from Hooghly, eight from Bankura and two each from Howrah and North Dinajpur districts.
Sources said the army jawans were still battling to enter some of the worst hit areas of Murshidabad, Birbhum and Bardhaman districts. Indian Air Force helicopters dropped food packets in Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bardhaman, Nadia and Hooghly districts. Nearly 15 million people in 118 blocks and 30 municipalities of seven districts had been affected in the current wave of floods. About 1.5 million people had so far been rescued to safer places in the seven districts. Bureau Report