Maharshtra flood: Cong for Rs 4,000 cr aid, army's deployment

Maharashtra is facing a severe flood situation after incessant rains for several days, especially in western districts.

The Maharashtra Congress, here on Thursday, demanded that the army be called to help in relief and rescue operations in the flood-ravaged Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts.

State Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat said the situation had turned grim and looked beyond the control of the NDRF, SDRF and state administration. "The Centre must immediately deploy the army and also sanction Rs 4,000 crore emergency aid," Thorat said.

The situation worsened a week ago, but the guardian Ministers of these districts were reaching the regions now, showing apathy to the stranded people, he said and added, "Despite the state facing such a calamity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still in a celebration mood over J&K and has not even taken note of the situation."

Slamming Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said had the state government reacted fast and taken the issue up with the Karnataka government on release of waters from the Almatti Dam, Maharashtr would have been spared of the crisis.

The need of the hour, Thorat said was to rescue lakhs of people stranded in the floods, provide them immediate relief and take measures for their rehabilitation.

"Teams of Congress activists are active in different regions and are helping the marooned people and providing relief to them," said Thorat.

( With inputs from IANS )