West Rajasthan is the most drought-affected desert area of the country. People of this region have to work hard for arranging drinking water everyday. But today this region is under flood due to heavy rains. The Rohali river, which originates from Jaisalmer, along with the Nimbala river caused havoc in the region. The flood adversely affected about 40 villages in the 100 km belt. The flood started destruction in the night of August 21. Seeing the situation going out of control, a team of swayamsevaks under the leadership of Shri Gopal Chaudhari, Karyavah of Bayatu tehsil, started relief activities immediately. This team provided food packets to 1500 people who had taken shelter at islands of sand. Seeing the alertness of the swayamsevaks, the local administration also swung into action and started relief operation. The district collector sought the help of army, air force and navy to rescue the people trapped in the flood. Shri Nimbaram, Vibhag Pracharak of Barmer, provided 800 food packets to victims with the help of the army.
According to Shri Pukhraj Gupta, Zila Sanghachalak of Barmer, the swayamsevaks set up four relief centres at Barmer, Shiv, Bayatu and Gadara. He appealed to the people of Rajasthan to extend a helping hand to the flood victims. Till the writing of this news, the swayamsevaks had provided 15,000 food packets, 1,000 canvas sheets, 3,000 blankets, clothes, utensils, water pouches and food material including gur, gram, tea, sugar, salt, chilly, turmeric, flour, rice, edible oil, milk powder, candles, matchboxes, etc. Sewa Bharati, Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti and Bharatiya Janata Party workers also extended help in the relief activities. The swayamsevaks also provided food to the flood victims with the help of ropes.
The diver swayamsevaks also helped the army in finding the dead bodies from the water and performed their last rites. Though, several other social organisations also came with relief material but they could not reach beyond the villages situated on the road. The flood has completely damaged both pucca and kuchcha houses. About three lakh people have been affected by the flood. More than one lakh cattle died. So far, about 150 dead bodies have been traced and it is apprehended that more dead bodies could be in the water.
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