Bangalore/Hyderabad:Incessant rain and the flood fury have wreaked havoc in four states of southern and western India. Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka have been the worst hit, with over 180 people killed in the last
three days. In Maharashtra 10 people have died and rains have hit rail and air
service in Goa. Army rescue team has evacuated over 3,00,000 from the affected
areas. The State Governments have distributed over 4, 00,000 food and water packets.
Over 250 doctors have been pressed into service to aid relief and rescue operations.
The Centre has assured assistance in search and rescue operations. In Karnataka,
thousands of people in the northern part of the state continues to battle for
survival for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, as the rescue work was hampered
by swirling waters and destruction of roads and other means of communication.
The State Government, has estimated the losses at over Rs10, 000 crore, and sought
urgent Central assistance. In Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Air Force helicopters
airlifted over 20 people in Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts. The evacuated people
have been put into the relief camps on the outskirts of Kurnool. Meanwhile, the
army has intensified search and rescue operations using 13 helicopters and over
100 boats in flood-hit regions of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Air
Force has deployed five Mi-8s and eight Chetaks helicopters in the operations.
In Maharashtra, 10 people have died in Ratnagiri district in Konkan region. Torrential
rains have also affected areas of Kolhapur, Solapur and Satara District. In the
tourist hub of Goa, the rains have hit rail and air services. The Dabolim Airport
has been shut down with several flights being diverted due to low visibility in
the region. The army has been called in to rescue residents trapped in their houses
in the Canacona region in south Goa.
