UN General Assembly President Condoles Loss Of Lives Due To Floods In India

President of the 73rd session of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa expressed solidarity with India over floods wreaking havoc in southern and western parts of the country.

Espinosa's spokesperson Monica Grayley said she has "sent her condolences to the people and the Government of India after the monsoon floods in the southern and western parts of the country, which led to over 140 deaths, and hundreds of thousands of people being evacuated."

She said the president of the UN General Assembly expressed her solidarity to all of those who were affected by the natural disaster.

Floods in southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka, and western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat have so far claimed 225 lives and lakhs of people had to be moved to safety. Kerala alone accounted for 91 of these deaths.

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Several states have been battling floods for weeks now. More than 157 lives have been claimed in seven states across the country. In Karnataka, the situation still remains grim as the death toll has reached 40 people. Over 200 personnel from the armed forces have been deployed across several states. In addition, all possible assets have been brought in for swift operations. 

The death toll in five western Maharashtra districts over nine days due to flood-related incidents reached 49. Kolhapur and Sangli districts have been battling unprecedented floods since the last eight days following heavy rains in Konkan and western parts of the state where 40 people have lost their lives in the deluge. In Maharashtra, over 5 lakh people have been rescued so far by the 105 teams engaged in rescue and relief operations. Multiple agencies like NDRF, Indian Army and Indian Navy are engaged in these operations.

Meanwhile, floods have also engulfed Kerala. Food packets were dropped in by the Southern Air Command troops in affected areas. Red alert issued in districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode, and Orange alert in districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod for Thursday.

READ: More Than 157 Killed In Mass Floods Across Several States In India