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Floods claim 13 in West Bengal

At least 13 people were killed and half a million marooned in devastating floods triggered by rain in four districts of West Bengal on Tuesday as the Army and Indian Air Force helicopters launched massive rescue and relief operations.

Deputy Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee told reporters that army columns had already moved into the worst-affected Birbhum and Murshidabad districts to carry out rescue operations. The Border Security Force had also been called out to carry rescue operations in Murshidabad district.

Bhattacharjee said two IAF helicopters had been requisitioned and they would operate from Panagarh to drop food packets in Birbhum and Murshidabad. The helicopters, which were requisitioned during the day, could not operate due to inclement weather.

Of the 13 dead, 12 died in Birbhum district, while one was killed in a house collapse in Howrah district. Of the 12 deaths in Birbhum, six were from Rampurhat, four from Nalhati and one each from Mayureswar and Labhpur.

Rail and road communication with north Bengal and the north-eastern states was disrupted as the flood and rain waters submerged tracks and national highways and expressways in Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts.

Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta and Panchayat Minister Suryakanta Mishra had been stranded at Malda town.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT
North, south Bengal reel under floods

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