Bengal flood toll now 39

Kolkata, July 31 (IANS) The Bengal flood toll went up to 39 with five deaths reported over the last 24 hours, while the situation continued to improve with water receding at most of the areas, officials said on Monday.

However, in some areas, there was still one foot deep water.

"Five more deaths have been reported over the past 24 hours, taking the toll to 39 since July 21 (when the rains started)," a government official said at state secretariat Nabanna.

Giving a break up of the fatalities, he said while 19 persons died due to drowning, five perished from wall collapse, three from electrocution, five from lighting and two after boat capsize. Five perished after they were bitten by poisonous snakes.

"Water has gone down in almost all the areas. But thre were still some places which were under one foot deep water," the official said.

In all, 27 lakh people were affected in 105 blocks of 14 districts due to the inundation following heavy monsoon rains and release of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation dams.

The calamity has taken a toll of crops over around four lakh hectares of land.

Twenty one medical teams and more than two lakh volunteers were working in the flood hit areas to distribute relief and ensure treatment of the indisposed.

"Work was also on for disinfecting water sources. The Irrigation Department was carrying out urgent repair of damaged embankments," the official said.