Rain takes toll on Rajasthan, claims 14 lives
A state grappling with drought a few days ago now stands flooded, thanks to a record rainfall.
A state grappling with drought a few days ago now stands flooded, thanks to a record rainfall.
The nightlong rains in Jaipur and Shekhawati regions left scores homeless, towns flooded and an administration scrambling for damage control on Wednesday.
The worst-affected areas included Jaipur, Tonk, Dausa, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts.
Twelve trains had to be stopped in Jaipur between 1.30 am and 4.30 am following flash floods. Traffic snarls were reported on the Jaipur-Delhi, Jaipur-Agra, Jaipur-Ajmer highways.
The rains had started around 10.30 pm on Tuesday. As it continued, over 100 colonies in low-lying areas of Jaipur were flooded. Houses collapsed and roads caved in.
Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal said markets in the Walled City and the slum areas in Jawahar Nagar, Shashtri Nagar and Sodala were the worst-hit.
A couple was killed when their car overturned near Ghat ki Guni, another couple was electrocuted in Sodala. Two children died in a wall collapse in Bhatta Basti and another child drowned in a nullah in Rajiv Nagar shanty. One man was swept away in Goner. Two people were killed in Jaipur district. Four persons were killed in Dausa district’s Dholpur and Mahuva.
A compensation of R1.5 lakh will be given to the families of the deceased.
The Jaipur district administration announced a holiday in government and private schools on Wednesday. Almost half the city had no power supply in the morning. The residents complained of poor management by civic officials.
"Rains have been on for a week, but despite that, municipal officials did not take any precautionary measure," said Shilpa Kumawat, a resident of low-lying Johari Bazaar.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured chief minister Ashok Gehlot of all help.