JAIPUR, India: The Indian army joined relief operations in the north western desert state of Rajasthan last month as the death toll from four days of torrential rain in the normally arid region rose to 40, authorities said. They said four people died overnight in rain related incidents in the state, which is a popular destination for foreign tourists. Nagaur district, in the center of the state which borders Pakistan, was the hardest hit with 18 deaths.
P.N, Kapur of the state’s hydrology department said monsoon storms dumped a record 36 cm (14 inches) of rain on Nagaur in 24 hours, more than its average annual rainfall of 31 cm (12 inches),The end of June, Nagaur had received 68 cm (27 inches).
Soldiers helped relief and rescue operations in Nagaur and Jodhpur districts, and in some areas the air force dropped boats to help marooned villagers. The army was also called in to Alwar and Bharatpur districts where irrigation dams were close to overflowing, threatening floods. Bharatpur is the site of one of India’s most famous bird sanctuaries.
Water reservoirs in Jaisalmer, a popular tourist destination in the Thar desert near the Pakistani border where it seldom rains, has received enough rain last month to last for 10 years, authorities said, The heavy rainfall was expected to spur the growth of desert shrubs used to feed camel and sheep. But it was also expected to lead to an increase in malaria cases, Last year more than 200 people died of malaria in Rajasthan after heavy rains.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 3, 1996
