Monsoon floods kill another 129 in India
Authorities in India’s western state of Gujarat today reported 129 new deaths in monsoon floods ravaging much of South Asia.
The casualties were in remote areas unreachable by roads or telephones.
“One hundred and fifty-one people lost their lives in the last 72 hours in Gujarat because of flash floods,” the state’s government spokesman I.K. Jadeja said.
The tally includes 22 deaths already reported.
“We have made requisitions for the armed forces. Air Force helicopters have been requested for evacuation of villagers from 43 villages,” in the state’s worst-affected districts of Surat and Bharuch, he said.
Heavy monsoon rains today smashed three homes in Bharuch, killing 17 occupants.
The new casualties reported in Gujarat took the death toll across South Asia to 1,773, officials said.
