Plea to help victims

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 6

Plea to help victims

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi The Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, moved by the plight of thousands made homeless by last week’s floods in the western state of Gujarat, has appealed to her people for help. Mrs Gandhi said after flying over the battered coastal areas of the state on Monday that the loss of life and property had been colossal, the State-run All India radio reported.

Officials have confirmed 428 deaths and said that 414 people were reported missing. The disaster was worse than last year’s cyclone which killed more than 500 people and caused widespread destruction in the same Saurashtra region. Floodwaters continue to engulf low-lying parts of Junagadh district, isolating almost 130,000 people. Mrs Gandhi, who also toured some of the worst hit areas such as Porbander

and Junagadh by road, expressed her deep sense of grief at the tragedy in the state. The Press Trust of India news agency said that Mrs Gandhi had called on Indians across the country to help the flood victims. . She told reporters that the destruction was so widespread that the Government alone would not be able to provide relief and rehabilitation.