JAIPUR: Rains and floods afflicting 12 districts in Rajasthan have claimed 85 lives including 50 alone in Barmer district this season and atleast 7,5194 cattle heads perished besides property and kharif crop damage amounting to Rs 1300 crores.
Besides this official death toll, 36 people of Malva village in Barmer district were reportedly missing as said by people but so far no trace of any body was found during aerial survey, Relief Minister K L Meena, who returned after a chopper visit along with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje told a press conference in Jaipur.
Malva, Kavas and Bhadaka villages were still marooned in Barmer district though the people were evacuated with the help of helicopters but the water level was recorded at 20-25 feet, Meena said adding these villages were located on the top of big sand dunes.
Besides Army assistance, the state government has requisitioned Navy special divers to reach missing persons as reported by villagers in Malwa, Kawas and Bhadaka in Barmer district, the minister said.
Of these deaths, Barmer alone accounted for 50 while 10 died in Pali, 6 in Udaipur, four each in Jalore and Rajsamand, three each in Chittorgarh and Sirohi, two each in Dungarpur and Banswara and one in Jhalawar, the minister said.
The state government would make a reply to the Governor Pratibha Patil, who sought an immediate statement on the flood and rain situation, and a memorandum demanding Rs 1300 crores package would be made to the central government for immediate release of assistance under calamity relief fund, the minister said.
Twelve districts facing the worst ever kind of flood and torrential rains included Banswara, Barmer, Chittorgarh, Kota, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Jalore, Pali, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer, the minister said.
About 57.98 lakh population, 17.35 lakh hectares of cultivable land in 5809 villages of 12 districts were severly affected, he said.
