Rijiju plans to visit flood-hit Manipur 'as and when situation improves'

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday said he is planning to go to flood-hit Manipur as and when the situation improves, and added that his visit at this time might hamper ongoing relief operations.

"Surprisingly, the flood situation has become grim. The operations are on in full swing and the Ministry of Home Affairs is monitoring the situation. We have sent the entire forces in all the places," he said.

"I am thinking of going to Manipur as and when the situation improves. If I go there (Manipur) right now, it will hamper the relief operations of the IAF and NDRF teams working with the state government," he added.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured the Centre's full support to both Gujarat and Manipur in the wake of floods and landslides in the states.

Speaking to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Rajnath Singh on Sunday enquired about the rescue and relief operations.

The home ministry has said that it is regularly monitoring the flood situation in various parts of the country and extending necessary assistance.

In Gujarat, 53 people have died as heavy rain lashed northern parts of the state. 32 people have died in worst affected Banaskantha district alone. A total of 14 teams comprising 592 jawans of different agencies and 5-Air Force helicopters have been pressed into service for relief and rescue work.

The Home Ministry in a has statement said, temporary relief camps have been set up in affected areas and 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed for rescue and relief operations in Gujarat.

More than 10 lakh food packets have been distributed among the flood victims.

The Ministry also said, in Rajasthan, 28 deaths have been reported of which 12 people lost their lives in the last few days, following very heavy rainfall and flood-like situation in many parts of the state.

Apart from the State Disaster Response Force, at present eight teams of NDRF are deployed for rescue and relief operations in the state and so far more than 630 peoples have been rescued from various districts in Rajasthan.

It said 48 deaths have been reported from various parts of West Bengal during the floods.

It said, seven districts of Odisha and a population of more than 4 lakh 80 thousand are affected in the floods.