Flash floods in UP village after Nepal releases 'excess' water; over 100 stranded people rescued
Bahraich (UP), Jul 20: Rescue teams evacuated over 100 villagers who were stranded in flash floods after Nepal released an “excessive” amount of water that resulted in flooding in Ghaghra river here, officials said on Saturday.
The residents of Chahalwa village, close to India-Nepal border, were stranded in the agricultural fields situated on the other side of river Ghaghra near the border, they said.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the office of the Relief Commissioner of UP said the farmers and labourers of the village daily cross the river for agricultural work.
On Friday, 115 villagers had gone to the fields during which the water level was low, the statement said. At around 6 pm, due to the excessive amount of water released from Nepal, the water level of the river increased, trapping the villagers.
As the river swelled up, 63 people managed to be brought out safely by boats, but the remaining villagers were stuck in the fields, it said.
According to the statement, the rescue operation with the help of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams continued till late night and the remaining villagers were brought to safe places.
Food packers were distributed to them and medical teams were deployed for health checkups, officials said.
Additional District Magistrate, Tehsil and Police Administration and officials of other related departments, including irrigation, have been asked to camp on the spot till the situation becomes normal, officials added.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
