His LS constituency flooded, PM deputes MP for help

Varanasi, Aug 25 (PTI) Flooding has created havoc inVaranasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi who has deputed a party MP to provide help andrelief to the victims. Lakhs of people have taken shelter in relief camps whichsuffer from shortage of food and drinking water. Cattle arethe worst affected and the district administration is makingall efforts to arrange feed for them. The ghats of the temple city have been submerged and thecremation at two places has slowed down. It has also made theperformance of rituals for the dead costlier as unavailabilityof dry wood has shot up its prices. The Prime Minister, who has expressed concern over theflood situation in his constituency, has deputed MP C R Patilto reach the victims and provide them the required relief. Patil, who is camping in the town, has set a target ofreaching at least 10,000 flood victims in a day and providethem with all the essential relief items besides ensuring foodpackets are delivered to them timely. Modi’s Parliamentary office in Ravindrapuri colony hereis open round-the-clock and a helpline number has been issuedfor the flood-hit people, where nearly 200-300 complaints arebeing received everyday, said Patil. "All efforts are being made to solve the complainants’problems and NDRF is being informed to reach the affectedareas where people need their help," he said.   Patil said along with the distrct administration, the BJPmembers too are reaching the flood victims and ensuring allkind of help for them.   BJP has hired 21 additional boats for the flood-hitpeople who are facing difficulty due to non-availability ofboats in their affected areas, the MP said.   He said food packets, blankets, candles, potato, onions,rice and other items are being distributed among the victims. Patil said most of weavers have been affected and effortsare being made to extend all sorts of help to them. Members of the ‘Rashtriya Bunkar Action Committee’, anorganisation of weavers, today came to the parliamentaryoffice and have demanded relief items, he said, adding theirleader was handed over 1,000 food packets. Blankets and otheressential itmes are also being distributed among them. Patil said BJP, with a team of doctors, will also beholding medical camps in the affected areas. "Though the district administration is making all effortsto shift people from their submerged villages to the reliefcamps, few villages are awaiting government help," he said.PTI CORR AKKAKK