Zee News, New Delhi :With Monsoon setting over in many parts of the country, incessant rains have swollen many rivers and created flood-like situation in the states of Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.Heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir have brought back the fears of last year’s devastating floods, which caused extensive damage to life and property. The Jhelum river, which caused havoc last September, is flowing above the danger mark prompting the authorities to sound high alert in Anantnag and Pulwama districts.The level of the river at Sangam in Anantnag district was 26.80 ft, which is above the danger mark, while it was 19.80 ft at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar city at 8 am, also above the danger mark.Death toll due to heavy rainfall in Gujarat yesterday rose to 38, including 27 in worst-hit Amreli district, following which Chief Minister Anandiben Patel conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas.According to the state government, 70 people are confirmed dead, five persons are missing and around 23 houses are damaged. Till now, three NDRF teams have been pressed into service. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced cash assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the injured & family members of those who succumbed to the nature’s fury.”Death toll due to heavy rains has risen to 38. The deaths were reported from Amreli (27), Rajkot (4), Bhavnagar (3), Surat (2) and one each from Bharuch and Valsad districts,” State Relief Commissioner DN Pandey said. On the issue of providing compensation to the affected people, he said financial aid will be given as per norms.”Financial aid or help is being given to people in affected areas like whose houses have been damaged, or in the cases of casualties or other injuries. Aid will be given as per norms of NDRF (National Disaster Relief Fund),” he said.”Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has been conducting aerial survey and final decision on providing further help or financial aid will be taken after a meeting with her,” Pandey said. He said the situation has improved. However, there are some areas which have been facing the problem of power failure and the state government has given directions to the energy department to rectify it, he said.Gujarat’s Amreli district is the worst affected as 36 people died in the flood fury on Wednesday. Wednesday’s depression over Gujarat region has moved northeastwards and weakened into a low pressure area over northwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining south Uttar Pradesh as of Thursday morning.
