Flood toll rises to 208

The toll in the recent floods in Gujarat has risen to 208, with 17 more deaths reported from different districts.

Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela said nine deaths were reported from Mehsana district, three each from Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts and two from Surat district. He said a relief and rehabilitation committee, headed by Revenue Minister Atmaram Patel, was set up. Besides, the government has already given cash doles to 90 per cent of the affected people. Compensation to the next of the kin of those killed was also distributed.

He said the state government has decided to train 500 men of the State Reserve Police to deal with natural calamities. They will be given 150 boats.

Meanwhile, a high-level team of the All India Congress Committee led by R L Bhatia visited the flood-hit Mehsana district. The team met the chief minister at Gandhinagar.

Later, addressing the media in Ahmedabad, Bhatia expressed dissatisfaction with relief work. He said the team also visited Kukas village of Mehsana district where four people were killed in a clash during the distribution of dole.

UNI

EARLIER STORY:
Gujarat flood toll rises to 144