ZEE NEWS, AUGUST 16, 2006
Bhopal, Aug 16: The death toll in rain-related incidents in Madhya Pradesh rose to 73 today with two fresh casualties due to lightning in Seoni district and recovery of six bodies in Bhopal.
While moderate rainfall was reported in Ujjain division, rest of the state remained almost dry allowing water level in swollen rivers to recede and road traffic to resume, sources said here
Amidst relief operations, helicopters were used to shift around 46 of the 200 villagers of Kheda in Guna district, marooned by Parvati river, they said adding two persons were moved to safer places by helicopter in Hoghara Ghat in Rajgarh district.
A woman and her nine-year-old son were killed after being struck by lightning in Barsoda village of Seoni, police said.
Six bodies were fished out from different rivulets here raising the death toll in Bhopal to 21, Superintendent of Police A K Singh said.
As rains ebbed, water receded in low-lying areas and people were moving out of relief camps while road traffic was restored in Sehore, Sagar, Vidisha, Chhindwara and Seoni districts.
Neemuch received a maximum rainfall of eight cm since yesterday, while six cm rainfall was recorded in Javad, five cm in Lanjhi, four cm in Bhanpura and three cm each in Jaora and Sailana, MET department said, issuing a warning of heavy rainfall in Jabalpur division in next 24 hours.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed relief measures and asked officials to ensure proper electricity and water supply to flood-affected areas, besides seeking assistance of ngos in relief work.
Water from Narmada river gushed into three villages situated on its banks after 12 gates of Indira Sagar dam were opened yesterday, sources said.
Road connection to gujari village was cut off as a bridge in Punasa block was damaged due to rising water level, they said adding administrative officials were keeping a vigil over the situation and adequate precautions have been taken to prevent any loss of life or property.
MP seeks Rs 650 crore crore from Centre for rain relief
Madhya Pradesh, hit hard by the recent devastating rains, on Wednesday sought Rs 650 crore financial assistance from the Centre for immediate relief and reconstruction work in 18 affected districts.
“I am sending a letter to the centre seking Rs 650 crore assistance for relief and reconstruction operations on the basis of preliminary estimates of loss caused by heavy rains,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters here today.
In order to press the demand for central help to deal with the `crisis`, Chouhan said he will visit Delhi on August 18 to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and apprise them about the destruction caused by heavy downpour.
While a detailed survey was being carried out to assess exact loss, according to preliminary estimates, the loss caused by the week-long rains amounted to Rs 650 crore, he said adding crops worth Rs 200 crore and private properties valued at Rs 200 crore were destroyed in the rains.
Similarly, Rs 100 crore loss was caused due to damage to roads, while government properties worth Rs 50 crore and were damaged and other loss amounted to Rs 100 crore, Chouhan said.
Stating that relief was being carried out on a war footing the Chief Minister said financial assistnce to each affected family had been raised from rs 1000 to rs 2000 and every family will be given 50 kg foodgrains and five litres of kerosene.
An amount of Rs 18,000 each would be given to people whose houses were destroyed and Rs 20,000 each to the landless who were left shelterless due to rains in 18 affected districts.
BHOPAL CENTRAL CHRONICLE, AUGUST 16, 2006
MP seeks Rs 650 crores central aid
Bhopal, Aug 16: In view of the flood situation in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has sought Rs 650 crore central assistance of which Rs 300 crore are required immediately. “A letter is being prepared and I will endeavour to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on August 18. I hope that the Centre will impartially extend assistance as it has done for Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh,” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told journalists here this evening.
Crop damage is in the range of Rs 200 crore, private property – Rs 200 crore, bridges – Rs 100 crore and Rs 150 crore worth of other property.
1 crore = 100 lakhs = 10 million rupees. For comparison, UK £1 is today trading at 88.25 rupees, the US $ is worth Rs 46.55 and the Euro is worth Rs 59.76.
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