The flood toll in Sangli, Kolhapur and three other districts of western Maharashtra further to 51 on Thursday, even as the revenue authorities began distributing relief in cash, foodgrains and kerosene among the affected families.
Sangli, which is one of the two worst affected districts after Kolhapur, accounted for a maximum of 24 deaths, including 17 persons killed in a boat tragedy on August 8, Twelve bodies of those killed in the boat mishap had been recovered earlier, while five bodies were found earlier this week.
There were 10, 8 and 8 flood-related in Kolhapur, Satara and Pune districts respectively, while Solapur district reported one death. “Four persons are still missing,” a senior revenue official said.
Giving details of the relief being given out to the flood victims in cash and kind, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr Deepak Mhaisekar said, “We have distributed cash relief amounting to a total of Rs 7,14,95,000 among 14,299 flood victim families in five districts of the Pune revenue division at the rate of Rs 5,000 per family. Similarly, we have distributed 2,296 quintals of wheat, 2,296 quintals of rice and 10,251 litres of kerosene among 22,962 affected families”.
The work of shifting the marooned people to relief camps is continuing in the worst-affected districts of Sangli and Kolhapur. “We have so far shifted 3,11,220 flood-affected people to 92 relief camps in Sangli district, while we have moved 4,03,435 to 202 relief camps in Kolhapur district,” Mhaisekar said.
Meanwhile, a survey of the damaged caused by the unprecedented floods has revealed that 588 houses have collapsed fully in Kolhapur district and 9.413 houses have partially collapsed. In Sangli, 1,829 houses have partially collapsed, while 11 houses have caved in fully.
The rescue work is fast getting over in both Sangli and Kolhapur district. “Only eight rescue teams involving 20 expandable boats and 176 men are currently in Sangli, while there are only seven rescue teams involving 25 expandable boats and 180 men in Kolhapur district,” Mhaisekar said.