Flood situation grim in Bengal, toll crosses 50

Floods continued to wreak havoc in many parts of West Bengal with death toll crossing 50 in the last seven days.

Floods continued to wreak havoc in many parts of West Bengal with the death toll crossing 50 in the last seven days, officials said on Tuesday.

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The situation in Murshidabad district worsened as major roads in Behrampore town and Kandi area were submerged and the Bhagirathi river flowed above the danger level.

Release of water from the Tilpara barrage in Murshidabad also inundated areas like Lalbag.

At least five deaths were reported from the district on Monday, officials said.

The situation in the neighbouring Howrah district also worsened while several other districts, including Birbhum, suffered from the natural calamity.

While nearly six million people in the state were affected in the flood, tens of thousands of houses were damaged.

In Darjeeling district of north Bengal eight people died of landslide on Sunday.

West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta has allocated Rs 400 million for flood relief operations.