Thousands Are Homeless as India Flood Toll Rises to 131
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NEW DELHI — Monsoon floods in India’s western state of Gujarat have inundated more than 7,200 villages, left about 175,000 people homeless and killed at least 131 over the last week, officials and news reports said Sunday.
One of the world’s 359 remaining Asiatic lions also was found drowned Friday near Gujarat’s Droneshwar dam, down river from its home in the Gir wildlife sanctuary, according to the Hindustan Times newspaper.
Soldiers were helping police and civilian rescue workers in the area, while air force helicopters aided in rescue missions and food drops. Most of those left homeless in Gujarat are poor villagers who also lost their cattle and belongings.
The state flood response center had recorded 131 deaths in Gujarat over the preceding week.
India’s monsoon season begins in June and continues until the end of September. Downpours have lashed Gujarat since June 26, submerging vast areas.
In neighboring Pakistan, troops in life jackets used motorboats to help feed and rescue thousands marooned by flash floods that have inundated dozens of villages in the country’s North-West Frontier Province, an official said.
No casualties had been reported there.
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