Mamata leaves for flood affected Howrah

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who short terminated her visit to UK due to cyclone threat in the state, today left for flood-hit Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district.

"I am going to Udaynarayanpur," Banerjee said at the state secretariat 'Nabanna'.

She is expected to visit more flood affected areas soon, officials said.

South Bengal districts have been lashed by heavy rains for the past few days triggering a flood-like situation. The situation worsened as very heavy rains lashed the districts since yesterday due to the deep depression following Cyclone Komen.

Officials said 1.8 lakh houses had been damaged and crop was lost in over 2.10 lakh hectares due to the floods. Speaking about the flood situation in the state after a review meeting, the chief minister said total 12 districts were affected and 39 people had already died.

She said 966 relief camps had been set up to provide succour to 1.19lakh affected people, besides 124 medical camps.

Police and railways had been asked to ensure there are no blockades as it would hinder relief work. Ministers have been asked to visit affected location to review relief works.

Banerjee said her government would try to support the flood-affected people with its own resources as she was not hopeful about much help from the Centre.

"Did the Centre send any help for Darjeeling disaster (landslides last month)?" an annoyed Banerjee shot back when reporters asked her whether Centre's assistance was sought.