At least 868 people have died in seven states so far, 247 of them in Kerala, due to rain, landslides, and floods during the monsoon season this year, the Union Home Ministry said on Friday, PTI reported.
After Kerala, Uttar Pradesh reported the maximum number of deaths – 191 – across 13 districts, according to figures given by the National Emergency Response Centre. West Bengal was next, with 183 deaths across 23 districts. In Maharashtra, 139 people died across 26 districts. Fifty-two deaths were reported from Gujarat, 45 from Assam, and 11 deaths in Nagaland.
In Kerala, 2.11 lakh people in 14 districts have been affected and over 32,500 hectares of crops damaged, the ministry said. In Assam, 11.45 lakh people were affected by the rain and floods, which also hit crops across 27,600 hectares. In West Bengal, 2.27 lakh people have been affected and crops in 48,550 hectares damaged.
Since August 8, 168 people have lost their lives in the floods in Kerala. Close to two lakh people have been accommodated in relief camps in the state. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 43 teams, comprising 2,000 rescuers and 163 boats, to rescue stranded people. The Indian Air Force has also deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft, the ministry said.
Fourteen teams of the NRDF were engaged in rescue and relief operations in Assam. Nine teams were deployed in UP, eight in West Bengal, seven in Gujarat, four in Maharashtra, and one in Nagaland.
Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam, and Nagaland have also reported 33 people missing and 274 injuries in rain-related incidents. The figures for those missing and injured, if any, in other states has not been revealed.
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