By IANS,
Jaipur: The army was Friday roped in to pump out water from several residential areas of this Rajasthan capital city still inundated after heavy rain, officials said.
Over 50 colonies, especially in Madrampura area, are flooded since heavy rainfall Tuesday, they said.
“About 50 army personnel under the supervision of an officer have been deputed in several colonies for relief work and for pumping out water. Hundreds of people are still displaced in the city. Only mild showers were reported on Friday,” a senior administration official said.
The army has provided 10,000 sand bags and 10 water pumps in affected areas of Madrampura.
Over 500 houses have either developed cracks or are completely damaged after the heavy downpour, an official said.
He added that the administration was focusing on providing medical facilities to affected people as spread of disease was feared because of stagnant rainwater.
“Hundreds of people are in relief camps set up in different places across the city,” said the officer.
At least 27 people have been killed so far in rain-related mishaps in Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Thursday appealed to people to be patient as heavy rains continued to cause havoc and affect normal life in several districts.
Chairing a meeting of senior administration officials here, the chief minister directed them to continue with relief work for thousands of displaced people on a war footing.
Officials said some districts, including Sikar, Bharatpur and Jhunjhunu, are also facing a flood-like situation as rains continued to lash these places Friday.
The army has also been pressed into service for rescue and relief operations in Laxamgarh area of Sikar district.
The officer said that the village council-level officials in the most affected rural areas have been asked to make an assessment of losses incurred because of the floods and submit a report.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday telephoned Gehlot and took stock of the situation as low-lying areas in Jaipur have been inundated since Tuesday night.