NEW DELHI, Reuter ;Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi today flew over flood ravaged areas of southern India where nearly 120 people have been killed and military helicopters are being used to rescue survivors and drop supplies to stranded villagers.
The Press Trust of India (PTI) said Gandhi surveyed the eastern and northern parts of Andhra Pradesh State this evening in an aircraft flown from New Delhi.
Gandhi’s tour followed helicopter drops of food to nearly 500 villagers submerged under flood waters from the Godavari River. The helicopters also rescued some 200 people.
The floods caused by India’s annual monsoon rains from June to September swept through three districts in the State and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
In the worst incident in Andre Pradesh, at least 39 villagers drowned when boat hit a submerged pole and capsized on Sunday.
‘The Times of India newspaper said 30 villagers were killed when the Godavari River overflowed its banks. Nearly 175 soldiers using 29 boats had joined the relief efforts it said. Medical teams were sent to the area and had so far treated about 1,200 people.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 22, 1986
