West Bengal: Floods in control but toll rises to 55

Kolkata: The overall flood situation in West Bengal improved with no major rainfall happening in the past two days, officials said. Three more deaths were reported to the central control room at the state secretariat here since Friday, taking the toll to 55 since July 21.

Of the 55 deceased, 48 people drowned, four died of snakebite and three succumbed to wall collapse, a senior officer of the state disaster management department said. Over 52 lakh people have been hit by the floods in six North Bengal districts of Cooch Behar, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Malda.

The officer said that the flood situation was improving gradually as the waters had started receding with no heavy rainfall in the past 48 hours. In all, 776 relief camps had been set up in the affected districts, where 2,08,513 people had taken shelter, he said.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation. The district magistrates are working 24x7. Relief material like dry food, cooked food, water pouches and medicines are being distributed,” the officer said.