New Delhi, India — Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi scanned northeastern India Saturday from a plane for a look at extensive flooding that has left at least 180 people dead and driven thousands from their homes.
Gandhi was accompanied by his wife, Sonia, for the over flight of central Uttar Pradesh state and a visit to the flood stricken city of Luck now, 300 miles east of New Delhi, radio and news agency reports said.
The visit came as another storm moved toward Uttar Pradesh from the neighboring states of Mad
hya Pradesh and Orissa, where weather reports warned further heavy downpours could be expected on Sunday.
Weather officials said many major rivers, already swollen from three months of monsoon season rains, were flooding.
Millions of people have been affected by flooding since the start of the monsoon season, with at least 180 known to have died. Thousands have been evacuated from their homes or stranded in their villages by high water In Luck now, Gandhi and his wife talked with flood victims at a relief camp, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Mrs. Gandhi helped distribute emergency supplies to about 100 evacuees in the camp, the news agency said.
Gandhi discussed relief efforts with state government officials and spent some time inspecting flood damage in outlying villages, it said.
Visibly shaken by what he had witnessed, Gandhi told reporters at Luck now Airport his government would look for better ways to finance state flood control projects.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 27, 1985
