Rain 'imbalance' matter of grave concern: Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said it was a matter of "grave concern" that half of the country was still awaiting rains while the rest is "under water".

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, the minister drew attention to the "fact of a climate change".

He also said necessary help was being provided to the flood-hit regions of Maharashtra by the state government.

"We need to consider the fact that there is a climate change happening..I would not say that every incident has a direct relation with the climate change as it would not be scientific, but it is a matter of grave concern that when half of the country is still waiting for rains, the remaining is under water," he said.

Rains have wreaked havoc in parts of Kerala, Karnataka Maharashtra and Gujarat.

While 66 people died in Karnataka and Kerala in floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains, over four lakh people were evacuated in Maharashtra and 19 lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Gujarat.

Over four lakh people have been moved to safety from the flood-hit parts of Maharashtra in the last five days, including 3.78 lakh from the worst-hit Kolhapur and Sangli districts.

Javadekar said the government was providing all help to the flood affected districts but this is a very "serious natural calamity".

"In Vadodara, 422 mm rainfall was received in just 24 hours (on July 31). When such kind horrific rainfall happens, which is called a cloud burst, such floods are being experienced," said Javadekar.

He said there are other reasons for the floods.

Javadekar said the environment ministry will do a long-term planning to avoid such incidents and will take all states and stake-holders on board.

"Through the newly-formed Jal Shakti ministry, we have brought a dam safety bill which incorporates key topics like flood control. Compensation for farmers and overall better management of water in future will be the thrust of this bill to avoid such (flood) situation," he said.