NEW DELHI/JAIPUR, 27 August 2006 — Massive floods in Rajasthan, better known as India’s desert state, have killed at least 85 people and forced suspension of an Indo-Pak train. With parts of parched desert area neck deep in water, army, air force and navy have been pressed into action, with scuba divers, boats and helicopters being used in rescue operations.
Begun this February, the Indo-Pak “Thar Express,” named after Thar desert, runs between Muanbao in Barmer district of Rajasthan and Khokhrapar in Pakistan. With tracks inundated because of the floods, this train has been suspended for a month, according to Rajinder Singh, director general of Border Security Force, which provides security to the train. “Efforts to assess the extent of the damage to the tracks have been hampered by floods,” he said.
In Barmer alone, at least 50 people have been killed. “Since the floods began, 51 dead bodies have been found in Barmer. The search is on for 50 (more) people,” said Rajendra Singh Rathore, the state’s public works minister. Unconfirmed reports say at least 300 people have died in state floods, 200 in Barmer alone.
Against 277 mm of rains Barmer receives every year, this time it has already received 577 mm. Heavy rains have directly affected 800,000 people.
