NEW DELHI, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The local government in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has sought help from army to undertake relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts, officials said Saturday.
According to officials, of the 75 districts in the state, 22 are bearing the brunt of flood fury.
The ongoing spell of flood has so far claimed 36 lives, especially in eastern parts of the state which were hit by incessant rains over the past few days, officials said.
"Over one million people have been hit in more than 2,000 villages in the affected districts," disaster management department officials said.
Authorities have already deputed disaster response force personnel in the flood-hit areas to help people and provide food.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath undertook an aerial survey of the worst-affected areas in Balrampur and Siddhartnagar districts and directed the officials to ensure airdropping of food packets.
Reports said some inundated areas were inaccessible even by boats and authorities have been directed to airdrop food packets.
Meanwhile, flood situation in neighbouring Bihar continues to be grim.
There is still no improvement in the flood situation in Bihar as over 10 million people have been affected in 19 districts, officials said.
The state-run broadcaster All India Radio Saturday said so far 164 people have lost their lives in the flood.
However, in northeastern state of Assam, officials said people have started leaving relief camps in the wake of the improvement in flood situation. Reports said 60 people have died in the current wave of floods in the state.
